When it comes to bodybuilding, multiple approaches to individual muscle groups are certainly the way to find the best results. You would never attempt to build up an impressive chest by simply completing 5 or 10 sets of flat bench press, for example. Instead, you would use a variety of flat, incline, and decline movements, including both presses and flyes. For the thighs, you would never just complete 5 or 10 sets of leg extensions for complete leg development. Instead, you would employ 4 to 6 leg movements to hit the various muscles of the thighs from different angles. Shoulder training is no exception. Instead of just tossing in some dumbbell presses or raises for shoulders, you need to utilize a balanced approach to shoulder training that provides both compound and isolation movements for the front, side, and read deltoids.

Front deltoids

The key to complete front deltoid development is to hit them with several different exercises, of both the compound and isolation variety. Obviously, you want to use seated dumbbell pressing to facilitate some overall deltoid mass gains. But you will also want to use some isolation movements. Cable, dumbbell, and barbell front raises are ideal for this. Three to four sets of each of these movements is a great way to start your shoulder day.

Side deltoids

Nothing beats plain ol’ side raises for the side deltoids. These can be achieved with either the use of dumbbells, or with the easier and less-traditional cable machines. Cables allow the lifter to keep continuous tension upon the muscle group. Dumbbells are equally effective (in a different way) by allowing the bodybuilder to recruit stabilizer muscles. This turns the lift into more of a compound movement than the more isolative cable raises. Since both are effective in their own way, why not consider using both cables and dumbbells in the same workout? Three sets of dumbbell side raises, followed with 3 to 5 sets of cable raises, will be plenty to draw maximum blood into the side delts to get some growth coming!

Rear deltoids

The reverse pec-deck machine is the best starter movement for bringing your rear delts up to speed. Have a seat on the apparatus, facing the machine. Place the pins so that the machine’s arms are all the way in. Then, begin pumping! Once you finish this movement, jump to the seated dumbbell bent-over raises, and challenge your body with these!

Additionally, you will benefit tremendously from the use of direct trapezius training. Some bodybuilders will do little to no direct trap work. They believe that a bunched up neck region will make them appear taller, and more narrow. For bodybuilders with poor clavicle width, this might be a good idea. However, bodybuilders with decent width should always employ some sort of trap work to give them the thick upper body look. No bodybuilder wants to have strong pecs and deltoids tying into what can only be described as a pencil neck. Use just enough trap training to look and feel strong, without letting it go overboard.

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