Shoulder Strengthening Exercises

Written by Brett Harrop

Updated: 11 May 2022

The following shoulder strengthening exercises are designed to improve the strength of the muscles of the shoulder. You should discuss the suitability of these exercises with your physiotherapist prior to beginning them. Generally, they should only be performed provided they do not cause or increase pain.

Begin with the basic shoulder strengthening exercises. Once these are too easy, add the intermediate shoulder strengthening exercises. As your strength improves, the advanced exercises can then be added to the intermediate program.

Shoulder Strengthening – Basic Exercises

To begin with, the following basic shoulder strengthening exercises should be performed approximately 3 times daily. As your shoulder strength improves, the exercises can be progressed by gradually increasing the repetitions, frequency or duration of the exercises provided they do not cause or increase pain.

Shoulder Blade Squeeze

Begin this exercise standing or sitting with your back straight. Your chin should be tucked in slightly and your shoulders should be back slightly. Slowly squeeze your shoulder blades together as hard and far as possible provided it is pain free (figure 1). Hold for 5 seconds and repeat 10 times.

Shoulder Blade Shrug

Begin this exercise standing with your back and neck straight. Your arm should be at your side, slightly away from your body with your palm facing forwards as demonstrated. Slowly elevate your shoulder blade towards your ear as far as possible provided it is pain free (figure 2). Hold for 5 seconds and repeat 10 times on each side.

Shoulder Blades Forwards Against Wall

Begin this exercise standing with your back and neck straight and your hands against the wall as shown (figure 3). Your shoulder blades should be squeezed together fully in this position, your elbows straight and you should be leaning into the wall slightly. Keeping your back straight, slowly bring your shoulder blades forward allowing your arms to lengthen. Hold for 5 seconds and then slowly return to the starting position. Repeat 10 times provided the exercise is pain free.

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Shoulder Strengthening – Intermediate Exercises

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Shoulder Strengthening – Advanced Exercises

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Become a PhysioAdvisor Member and gain full access to our complete Injury Database. Our experienced physiotherapists are updating PhysioAdvisor’s injury articles to include the most important information to help users take control of their injury and hasten their recovery. Updated sections include detailed information on: Treatment, Intermediate & Advanced Exercises and a step by step Rehabilitation Protocol for each updated injury article – ensuring you have the tools to take control of your injury and save money on expensive physiotherapy consultations.

  Physiotherapy Products for Shoulder Exercises

To purchase physiotherapy products to assist with shoulder strengthening exercises and shoulder rehabilitation, click on one of the above links or visit the PhysioAdvisor Shop.

  Other Exercises

• View Shoulder Stretches
• View Arm Strengthening Exercises
• View Arm Stretches
• View Upper Body Massage Ball Exercises
• View Upper Body Foam Roller Exercises
• View Upper Body Resistance Band Exercises
• View Basic Pilates Exercises
• View Basic Swissball Exercises
• View Core Exercises

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