11/16/2025
Easy ways to strengthen your shoulders.
1. Exercise while seated
Yes, it's possible to strengthen your shoulders while seated at your desk or on a couch, and you don't even need complicated moves. "Just sit up tall and bring your shoulders down and back. Holding that position for extended periods strengthens small muscles that promote shoulder stability and improve hunched posture, which is bad for the shoulders," Crowley says.
If you have time for an exercise that's slightly more involved, Crowley recommends any of the following. Sit up straight while you do them.
Arm circles. These work the rotator cuff muscles. Hold your arms out to your sides, parallel to the floor. Make a few large circles in the air, then make medium-sized circles, and then small ones. Try it with your thumbs up for a few rotations, then thumbs down. Do the circles forward or backward.
Arm raises. These work the main muscles in your shoulders, called the deltoids. Hold your arms out to your sides — arms straight or slightly bent. Slowly raise your arms up toward the ceiling (no higher than your head, if you have shoulder injuries), and then slowly bring them back down. Repeat the arm raises about 10 times. You can also do this exercise with your arms out in front of you.
Hand slides. These stretch your shoulders. Reach out in front of you, and place your palms down on a desk or an ottoman. Slide your hands as far forward as you can, keeping your arms straight, and bringing your chin down toward your chest as you go. Hold the stretch, then reverse the move until you're sitting up.