down).  Picture in your mind a Marine or Army solider standing at attention with a tall posture, shoulders back, chest out.  This is the shoulder position that we need to encourage and strengthen in with our exercises!

Conversely, and potentially more immediately damaging, is NOT doing exercises that encourage the forward shoulder position... now sit down men, this is going to hurt a little (only at first).  NO BENCH PRESS!  "what, no bench, what else is there to dooooooo!!"  Muscle strengthening equals muscle shortening in most cases.  This means that if you spend time strengthening the chest muscles, they are going to shorten and pull the shoulder system further forward!  This is a common reason that folks go to the gym to help themselves and end up HURTING themselves instead... very frustrating.

This is one basic concept that can save many of you serious pain and frustration even by changing this aspect single of you workouts.  Less chest strengthening, more back strengthening equals better shoulder positioning and less risk of damage.

SO...What can you do then?  Think antagonistically of course.  If chest strengthening, or chest shortening is bad, what would be the opposite of that?  Chest lengthening, so stretch the chest muscles.  Is that it?  Take the concept a step further and you have not only stretching ht short, but strengthening the opposing muscle groups.

In the shoulder that opposing group is the scapular retraction and depression groups.  Rhomboids and lower trapezius to be more specific.  This means row, row, row your boat... and pull downs, and chin ups, and dips, and rear deltoid...  All of these done with proper form and focus will aid in helping shoulder asymmetry.

Need more help, shoot me an e-mail or stop by and we'll see if we can't get you back on track:)!  Until next time my friends, take care.


God Bless & Good Health,

-g