Getting wide shoulders

[Garth]

If someone has very broad shoulders, was he naturally born that way, or can anyone develop broad shoulders if he works out? For example, I now look like this but I want to look like this. I am about 6'2" and my shoulders measure about 18 inches across which I think is well below average for a person of my height, and tall skinny guys are not very threatening looking. The main reason I want to have broader shoulders is not for strength but to look tougher. My theory is that if I look big and powerful, no one will want to start a fight with me and I will be safe.

Basically my question is, what if anything can I do to make my shoulders broader, or is this something that cannot be done, because if you're not born with the proper bone framework to develop the muscle on, then you're screwed and no amount of working out will get you broad shoulders?

[adacas]

While in most cases broad shoulders are genetic you can build some muscle to make up for some of it. Some body types naturally dictate the v look while other are the straight up and down look. Also having a small waist line with a large upper body really helps in the illusion. The parts of your body that make you look wide no matter what you are wearing are your back, chest and shoulders. Working out the chest is easy. Shoulder raises, shoulder shrugs and the like are good. The most important part but also one of the most neglected is the back. You are looking for that upside down christmas tree look so exercises like low rows, lat pull downs, back flys, pull ups, etc. While you may not end up looking as broad shouldered as say goldberg from wwe you could develop a good look. good luck

[Biker]

If you want larger shoulders you need to work them. Military presses, side lateral raises, upright rows and shrugs. Shrugs will beef up your trapezius, Military press will hit the shoulder area in general, in addition to really addinf size to the deltoids, and lateral raises and upright rows will help build width as they work the side of the deltoid.

[shadowkiller]

You look like that?? Man I dont think broad shoulders are your problem
j/k

[John_M]

-broad shoulders r good to have because they give that intimidating feel to your opponent
-side lateral raise are the best
-try shoulder pressing with dumbells, and that way you also work you stabalizer muscles,
-my shoulders are 22 inches across, and they used to be 18
-personally too i find that if you have strong shoulders you can do alot of things with greater ease

[shadowkiller]

You who have worked on your shoulders, do anyone of you know any secrets to stretching that area?

I naturally have broad shoulders and seem to have a lot of back and kneck problems because they are so tight all the time.

[John_M]

-side laterals use you outer deltoids, and no back is involved

[Builderofmuscle]

same here. I've lost a lot of fat, and muscle recently. I went from 155 to 135. I used to credit myself because I thought I had nice big shoulders, but after the fat loss, it seems I never had any shoulders. My shoudlers look bad, bony. So I started going to the school weightroom (it turns out pushups aren't enough) and I started doing Side raises, front raises, and bent over laterals. I really like doing bent-over laterals, but the most hardest exercise out of all of them are the side lateral. The Upright Rows are also really effective. I'm with you man. I fighting the shoulder battle with you and all the other skinny dudes. (I still don't think I'm skinny but 135 is too low. My original goal was 145. I have no clue how I got so low. But I look good! Except for the shoulders.)