How to Build Boulder Shoulders Using Reddit’s Proven Routine

You have likely scrolled through r/Fitness or r/bodybuilding looking for the truth. You are tired of influencers pushing complex movements just for views. You want the best shoulder exercises reddit users actually swear by—the ones that have survived the scrutiny of thousands of experienced lifters.

Reddit's consensus is usually brutal but effective: stick to the basics, master progressive overload, and stop neglecting your rear delts. If you are looking for a shoulder transformation reddit users would upvote, you need to move away from the machines and grab some iron.

Key Takeaways: The Reddit Consensus

• The King of Mass: The Standing Overhead Press (OHP) is universally regarded as the primary compound lift for size.
• The Width Builder: Lateral raises are non-negotiable for that "capped" look, but high reps (15-20) are preferred over heavy weight.
• The Joint Saver: Face pulls are the most recommended exercise for shoulder health and rear delt development.
• Frequency Matters: Most users suggest hitting shoulders twice a week rather than a single "bro-split" shoulder day.

The Foundation: Heavy Overhead Press (OHP)

If you search for a shoulder workout routine reddit recommends, the Standing Barbell Overhead Press is almost always the opener. It is the squat of the upper body.

Why Reddit Loves It

It allows for maximum load. The logic is simple: to get big shoulders, you need to move big weight. Unlike seated dumbbell presses, the standing variation engages your core and stabilizers, creating a systemic growth stimulus.

The Form Cue

Don't just push up. Think about pushing your body through the window created by your arms at the top of the lift. A common tip found on r/weightroom is to squeeze your glutes hard to protect your lower back from arching excessively.

The Width Creator: Lateral Raises (With a Twist)

You want to know how to get broad shoulders reddit style? You have to isolate the medial deltoid. However, the community often critiques standard dumbbell lateral raises due to the resistance curve dropping off at the bottom.

The Cable Advantage

Many threads on r/bodybuilding suggest swapping dumbbells for cables. Doing Egyptian Lateral Raises (leaning away from the cable tower) keeps constant tension on the muscle throughout the entire range of motion. This constant tension is the secret to how to get boulder shoulders reddit users brag about.

The Non-Negotiable: Face Pulls

This is arguably the most "meme-status" exercise on the platform, largely popularized by the Athlean-X influence that permeates the subreddits. But the hype is justified.

Why You Can't Skip This

Most lifters have overdeveloped front delts from pressing and underdeveloped rear delts. This imbalance leads to forward-rounded posture. Face pulls fix this. They are the cornerstone of any sustainable best shoulder workout reddit suggests because they build the rear delt while strengthening the rotator cuff.

Volume Over Weight

Do not go heavy here. The consensus is high volume. Think 3 sets of 15 to 20 reps. If you have to rock your body to move the weight, you are missing the point.

Programming: The Ideal Shoulder Day Reddit Split

How do you put this together? A dedicated "shoulder day" is becoming less popular. Instead, the shoulder routine reddit favors is often integrated into a Push/Pull/Legs (PPL) or Upper/Lower split.

Here is a synthesis of a standard PPL push day shoulder component:

• Overhead Press: 3 sets x 5-8 reps (Heavy/Strength)
• Dumbbell/Cable Lateral Raises: 4 sets x 12-15 reps (Hypertrophy)
• Face Pulls: 3 sets x 15-20 reps (Prehab/Rear Delt)

My Training Log: Real Talk

I have spent years testing the best shoulder exercises reddit throws into the ether. Let me tell you something about the Overhead Press that the guides don't mention: the plateau is mentally crushing.

When I first switched to the Reddit-recommended PPL, my OHP shot up to 135lbs quickly, then hit a brick wall. I remember the specific feeling of the knurling digging into the meat of my palm near the thumb—that deep ache in the wrist because my grip width was off by half an inch. It wasn't until I bought a cheap pair of stiff wrist wraps (the ones with the scratchy velcro that catches on your shorts) that I could stabilize the bar enough to break that plateau.

Also, regarding lateral raises: drop the ego. I used to swing 35lb dumbbells thinking I was working hard. My shoulders didn't grow until I dropped to 15lbs, slowed down the eccentric, and actually felt the burn in the side delt rather than my traps taking over.

Conclusion

There is no magic pill for how to grow shoulders reddit or anywhere else. It comes down to getting strong on the overhead press and getting high volume on your lateral raises. The exercises listed above are not fancy, but they are the ones that actually work when you strip away the marketing fluff. Stay consistent, track your lifts, and eat enough to support growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best shoulder exercise reddit recommends for width?

Without a doubt, the Lateral Raise. Specifically, cable lateral raises are preferred because they provide constant tension on the side deltoid, which creates that wide, V-taper look.

Can I do a shoulder workout at home?

Yes. The Pike Push-up is the calisthenic equivalent of the Overhead Press. For side delts, you can use resistance bands or water jugs for lateral raises. Search for "bodyweight fitness reddit" for specific progressions.

How often should I train shoulders?

Most Reddit programs (like PPL or nSuns) recommend training shoulders twice a week. This frequency allows for higher quality volume compared to cramming everything into a single shoulder day.