Rich Piana was a well-known figure in the fitness industry, known for his bulging physique, honesty and willingness to share his opinions on muscle building. One topic he was especially vocal about was using shoulder presses as an effective means of building shoulder muscle.
Rich Piana cautioned against shoulder presses as an exercise to strengthen muscles in the shoulders, noting they may have detrimental effects on tendons and lead to injury.
He also noted that many guys place too much emphasis on this exercise, despite the fact there are more effective and secure exercises for building shoulder muscle.
Rich instead suggested performing side lateral raises instead, which he believed could isolate all the different heads of shoulders with different variations.
Rich believed that by using different variations of the side lateral raise, you could effectively target all aspects of the shoulders for improved development.
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Rich Piana often used the Smith machine for shoulder presses as part of his workout regimen to develop his shoulders and traps.
He stressed the necessity of not going below the chin during this movement to avoid placing undue strain on tendons and potential for injury.
In addition to shoulder presses, Rich also included exercises like front raises, heavy lateral raises, upright rows and shrugs into his shoulder and trap workouts.
These exercises target various parts of the shoulder and trap muscles, helping him achieve a well-rounded development.
Rich often utilized a Smith machine when performing these exercises to ensure proper form and reduce the likelihood of injury.
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By using the Smith machine, he could focus on targeting specific muscle groups without worrying about stabilizing the weight, enabling him to lift heavier loads safely and effectively.
Rich Piana believed that shoulder presses may be harmful due to their emphasis on the anterior delts, which many men tend to overdevelop. This imbalance in muscle tone could lead to imbalances within the shoulder muscles and eventually result in injury.
Though shoulder presses can be beneficial in certain circumstances, Rich Piana recommended that most guys focus on safer and more effective exercises for building shoulder muscle.
By including exercises like side lateral raises in your workout routine, you can build strong and balanced shoulders without placing undue strain on your tendons or risking injury.
Finally, Rich Piana was a highly-respected figure within the fitness industry who had many insightful ideas on how to build muscle.
He suggested side lateral raises as safer and more effective alternatives to shoulder presses, which he believed can be harmful if overused.
By adhering to his advice and including these exercises in your workout regimen, you can enhance overall shoulder development while decreasing the likelihood of injury.
