| This movement is excellent for building and maintaining both shoulder and arm strength and shoulder mobility. It is a controllable movement that can easily be scaled up or down.
• Step 1: Start by sitting or standing while holding a dumbbell or can in each hand. Standing is more difficult but will help build your balance. Be sure to keep your trunk as upright as possible.
• Step 2: Hold the weights at shoulder level with your elbows out to the sides.
• Step 3: Slowly push the weights straight up until your elbows completely straighten, then slowly lower them back down, taking about 2 seconds in each direction.
• Step 4: This counts as 1 repetition. Try to perform 3 sets of 12 repetitions.
Overhead presses can be challenging since you’re pushing against gravity, and there’s a cardio component. My patients often find this to be the hardest exercise, but it produces substantial benefits. |
