Best Shoulder Exercises at the Gym
Well-developed shoulders round out your whole upper body and improve pressing strength everywhere else. These shoulder exercises combine overhead presses with lateral, front and rear raises for complete deltoid development.
Dumbbell Arnold Press
Dumbbells
Dumbbell Lateral Raise
Dumbbells
Dumbbell Front Raise
Dumbbells
Barbell Seated Behind Head Military Press
Barbell
Cable Lateral Raise
Cable machine
Band Standing Rear Delt Row
Resistance band
Military Press
Bodyweight / light load
Dumbbell Upright Row
Dumbbells
Barbell Upright Row (wide-grip)
Barbell
Smith Seated Shoulder Press
Machine (Smith machine)
Cable Front Raise
Cable machine
Cable One Arm Lateral Raise
Cable machine
Dumbbell Seated Lateral Raise
Dumbbells
Frequently asked questions
How do I build wider-looking shoulders?
Lateral raises target the side deltoid directly, which is the main driver of shoulder width — prioritize them alongside overhead pressing.
Why should I train rear delts?
Rear delts are often neglected but are key for shoulder health and posture — direct rear delt work balances out all the pressing you do.
Start tracking your workouts free
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