When performing exercises focusing on the shoulders, how should the hands be positioned when raising the arms above shoulder height?

In exercises targeting the shoulders, the ideal hand position when raising the arms above shoulder height is typically in a neutral position. This means the palms face each other rather than a pronated (palm down) or supinated (palm up) grip.

Using a neutral grip is functional for shoulder exercises because it tends to create more stability in the shoulder joint and engages the muscles in a more balanced way. It allows for better alignment of the shoulder and upper arm, which can help reduce the risk of injury and improve overall movement mechanics.

In contrast, the pronated grip can sometimes lead to shoulder discomfort or limit the range of motion, while the supinated grip can alter the muscles being engaged, which may not provide the same advantages for shoulder development. The concept of an overhead position does not specifically address hand orientation and can vary based on the specific exercise being performed.

For optimizing shoulder function and safety, a neutral grip while raising arms is recognized as the most beneficial hand position.