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8 Weeks to Bigger, Better Shoulders
Try this routine if you want to add serious size to your shoulders! Remember to consult your doctor before starting any diet and exercise plan.

No hardcore bodybuilder's physique is complete without a set of rock-hard delts.

If you're serious about training, you'll want to build the widest and thickest shoulders your frame can carry. With huge, rock-hard shoulders, you'll never have to wear several layers to look big again, not to mention your waist will look smaller too. But how do you go about building the shoulders of a true champion? To assist you in your ultimate quest for shoulder size, we've put together a training routine composed of some classic, gym-proven exercises that can help you get where you want to be.


The 8-Week Superior Shoulder Routine

The following routine consists of two different shoulder workouts that, when combined, can help you achieve results! Both workouts contain compound movements designed to build tremendous strength and mass on the entire shoulder girdle. Each workout also contains isolation movements to carve fine lines on the individual heads of the deltoids, for that pumped competition look. For eight weeks, you'll alternate between each workout and train shoulders only once a week. For example, you'll start with Workout 1 in the first week, and you'll do Workout 2 in the following week. This routine can be as intense as you want to make it. To dial up the intensity, just cut your rest between sets from one minute to 30 seconds.

As with any training routine, it's essential to stretch and warm up before your workout. Your first set should be a warm-up set with lighter weight. You can work towards progressively heavier weight for the other working sets. Just make sure you concentrate on proper form. After eight weeks, you'll take a much-needed week off from training shoulders. This will allow time for growth and recovery. You'll then be ready to resume training again with renewed vigor and all-out intensity.

Instructions: Your first set for each exercise is a warm-up with lighter weight, followed by two intense working sets with progressively heavier weight. Take a 30-second to one minute break after each set. Once you've finished all working sets for a particular exercise, you can challenge yourself with the next musclebuilding exercise.

Workout 1 Workout 2
Dumbell Shoulder Presses
3 sets of 8 to 10 repetitions		 Dumbell Front Raises
3 sets of 10 to 15 repetitions
Upright Rows
3 sets of 8 to 10 repetitions		 Bent-Over Lateral Raises
3 sets of 10 to 15 repetitions
Dumbell Lateral Raises
3 sets of 10 to 15 repetitions		 Smith Machine Presses
3 sets of 8 to 10 repetitions

>> Click here for your Superior Shoulder Workout Log

David Henry and Darrem CharlesDumbell Shoulder Presses

Muscles Worked: Deltoids, upper trapezius, serratus anterior, and triceps

Position: Sit on a bench with your back straight, holding two dumbells just above shoulder level with your palms facing forward.

Start: Press the dumbells straight up until the two dumbells are nearly touching over your head.

Finish: Complete the exercise by returning the dumbells back to the starting position.

Tip: To keep tension on the deltoids, avoid locking your elbows at the top of the movements.

Gustavo BadellUpright Rows

Muscles Worked: Deltoids, trapezius, biceps

Position: Stand with your feet slightly spread, holding a barbell with an overhand grip just in front of your thighs.

Start: Keeping the barbell close to your body, raise it to chin level.

Finish: Complete the exercise by returning the barbell back to the starting position.

Tip: Raise your elbows as high as possible at the top of the movement. This exercise can also be performed using the lower pulley on a cable stack.

David HenryDumbell Lateral Raises

Muscles Worked: Deltoids (especially the medial [side] deltoids)

Position: Stand straight and grasp the dumbells with your palms facing toward each other. Rest the dumbells just in front of your thighs and spread your feet slightly.

Start: Raise the dumbells out to your sides until they reach shoulder level.

Finish: Complete the exercise by lowering the dumbells back to the starting position.

Tip: Use manageable weight for this exercise. Your elbows should be slightly bent.

Jay CutlerDumbell Front Raises

Muscles Worked: Deltoids (especially the anterior [front] deltoids)

Position: Stand straight with your feet slightly apart, holding the dumbells with an overhand grip just in front of your thighs.

Start: Using one arm at a time, raise a dumbell out in front of you to shoulder level.

Finish: Complete the exercise by lowering the dumbell under control back to the starting position. Repeat with the opposite side.

Tip: Keep your back straight during the exercise. Use manageable weight and avoid throwing the weight up with your entire body.

Branch WarrenBent-Over Lateral Raises

Muscles Worked: Deltoids (especially the posterior [rear] deltoids), trapezius

Position: Stand bent at the waist with your knees slightly spread. Grasp the dumbells with your palms facing inward and your elbows slightly bent.

Start: Raise the dumbells out to your sides.

Finish: Return the dumbells back to the starting position.

Tip: At the highest point in the movement, squeeze your shoulder blades together. Even though you are bent at the waist, keep your back straight.

Gustavo BadellSmith Machine Presses

Muscles Worked: Deltoids, triceps, upper pectorals, serratus anterior

Position: Sit on a bench positioned under the bar of the Smith machine. Keep your back straight and grip the barbell with your palms facing forward.

Start: Press the barbell straight up.

Finish: Complete the exercise by returning the barbell back to the starting position.

Tip: To keep tension on the deltoids, avoid locking your elbows at the end position.

>> Click here for your Superior Shoulder Workout Log

With this solid shoulder routine, you'll be on your way to wide, muscular shoulders. Of course, you'll need to train with high intensity, include cardio, and get plenty of rest for the very best results. Also, you'll need a protein-packed nutrition plan that's moderate in carbs and low in fat.

You deserve real results, so make sure you eat right and add supplements to your nutrition plan. If you want an edge in helping you build mass and increase strength, add Cell-Tech™ Hardcore to your training plan - it's the champion's choice for building muscle. In one study, Cell-Tech Hardcore subjects gained an average of 9.2 pounds of mass in 8 weeks when they combined Cell-Tech Hardcore with diet and weight training. Within 30 to 45 minutes of enjoying Cell-Tech Hardcore, treat your muscles to Nitro-Tech® Hardcore, one of the most advanced protein supplements out there. Nitro-Tech Hardcore has been shown to increase mass and strength better than regular whey protein. In one study, healthy, athletic males who combined Nitro-Tech Hardcore powder with diet and weight training, on average, gained more mass in 28 days than subjects using regular whey protein (2.75 vs. 0.11 lbs.). If you want to build shirt-stretching shoulders, train hard and use the Cell-TechT/Nitro-Tech® Hardcore stack to help you add muscle! With the help of this incredible post-workout stack in your hard-training and nutrition plan, you just may need to start buying XXXL shirts!