What do dropping down to give me 50, an hour of swimming freestyle, and sitting hunched over a computer all have in common? Tight and tense shoulders, that's what. Aside from scheduling an appointment with a massage therapist, you can hop on your mat and show this area some love with this chest- and shoulder-opening yoga sequence. Move through all 11 postures on the right side, and then repeat on the left.
Source: Laughing River Yoga Studio
Stress not only causes emotional anguish, but it can also affect a person physically. We're talking headaches, digestive issues, or, for many, unbearable pain in the neck and shoulders. When muscle tension builds up, it seems to create a barrier between the brain and the body, making it impossible to concentrate. Take a break for work and get some much-needed relief in minutes with these five quick stretches.
Why not celebrate Valentine's Day and American Heart Month with a little bit of yogic love? Physically stretching the muscles in your chest, shoulders, and belly can create a deep emotional release, helping you to appreciate and honor yourself and your loved ones. These poses also bring a feeling of lightness and contentment, so try these 10 heart-opening stretches to make you feel positively blissful.
We are pumped to share one of our favorite stories from Self here on FitSugar!
Summer is all about showing skin, but are you ready to flaunt your figure in a strapless dress? If the answer isn't quite yes, then you're in luck! Scoring a sexy back, decolletage, and shoulders doesn't necessarily mean logging long hours at the gym. Instead, try this no-equipment upper-body workout from Philippe Til, a personal trainer and kettlebell expert based in West Los Angeles.
"A little definition goes a long way in looking great and getting compliments," he says. "Working the shoulders and upper back also automatically recruits your biceps and triceps so you kill a few birds with one stone!"
Toning up top also creates the illusion you've morphed into a long-legged goddess without breaking the bank on a pair of Jimmy Choo stilettos. "An upright posture automatically helps you draw in your stomach so you appear taller and leaner," says Til. "It's a win-win!"
To help his female clients shape up fast for strapless dress season, Til uses circuit training to target several major muscle groups at once. "Spot reduction doesn't work," he says. "Think of an ice cube. If placed in the sun, it melts all over, not just in one area."
Incorporate these three moves into your regular routine three times a week, repeating four times the first day, three times the second day, and five times the third day. "Do these exercises back to back," says Til. "This workout has a variety of moves that target the upper back and core at once as well as the lower body and core at once. The more muscles you recruit, the more calories you burn and the more time you save!"
Keep reading for the back-defining exercises.
Sitting at a desk, lifting heavy weights improperly, or neglecting to stretch the shoulders can take a huge toll on posture. Even if you think you're sitting up straight, you may still be slouching your shoulders and upper back. Crunch trainer Tim Rich shows us some key stretches and exercises that you can do to strengthen your back and open up your shoulders.
If you're looking for a short workout to tone your shoulders for strapless dress and tank top season, try these three shoulder sculpting moves. You'll need a set of dumbbells, a mat, and a chair or bench. Repeat all three exercises for a total of three rounds.
 Seated Reverse Fly |
 Superman |
 Side Leg With Shoulder Press |
If that wasn't enough for you, click here for more Weekend Workouts.
Our friends over at American Council of Exercise have designed a series of exercises to target your shoulders and upper back. So if you're planning on wearing a strapless dress in the near future, or just want to tone up for bathing suit and tank top season, check out these five moves.
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