Shoulder taps are a popular exercise that can be done anywhere, anytime, and without any equipment. They are a great workout routine for building upper body strength, improving your balance, and working on your core stability. Shoulder taps are also a perfect warm-up exercise for other workouts that require upper body strength. In this article, we will discuss what shoulder taps work and how they can benefit your overall fitness.
What are Shoulder Taps?
Shoulder taps are a simple exercise that involves getting into a high plank position, which means you are holding yourself up with your hands and toes, with your back flat and your core engaged. Then, you tap your opposite shoulder with your hand, alternating sides.
What Muscles Do Shoulder Taps Work?
Shoulder taps are a compound exercise that work multiple muscle groups at once. The primary muscles worked during shoulder taps include:
- Shoulders
- Triceps
- Chest
- Upper back
- Core
Benefits of Shoulder Taps
Shoulder taps offer many benefits for your overall fitness. Here are some of the benefits of shoulder taps:
- Builds upper body strength
- Improves core stability
- Increases balance and coordination
- Boosts cardiovascular endurance
- Helps prevent injuries
How to Do Shoulder Taps
Here are the steps to do shoulder taps:
- Get into a high plank position with your hands shoulder-width apart and your feet hip-width apart.
- Engage your core and keep your back flat.
- Lift your right hand and tap your left shoulder with it.
- Place your right hand back into the plank position and then lift your left hand to tap your right shoulder.
- Repeat the process for 30 seconds to a minute, depending on your fitness level.
Variations of Shoulder Taps
If you want to add more challenge to your shoulder taps, here are some variations that you can try:
- Wide-arm shoulder taps: Widen your hand placement to target your chest muscles more.
- Slow-motion shoulder taps: Do the exercise in slow motion to focus on your core stability and balance.
- Single-arm shoulder taps: Lift one hand off the ground and tap your opposite shoulder with the other hand.
- Shoulder tap push-ups: After each shoulder tap, do a push-up before tapping the other shoulder.
Conclusion
Shoulder taps are a simple but effective exercise that can help you build upper body strength, improve your balance, and work on your core stability. They are also a great warm-up exercise for other workouts that require upper body strength. By adding shoulder taps to your workout routine, you can improve your overall fitness and prevent injuries.