Some may or may not like Side Laterals. I like them and have done them many ways. How can You do this simple exercise more than one way? You have dumbbells, cables, self resistance, VRT and Isometrics as differant ways to do this simple exercise.
Dumbbells are simple. Some recommend pinkies up at the top, some neutral, and some thumbs up. Cables can be done with the cables on opposite feet and feet spread out wider. With cables they can be done while holding an end of the cable in each hand, whether in front or behind the body. Also You can use a low anchor point and do one arm at a time.
Now self resistance and isometrics have pretty much the same options. You can put Your none working hand on Your elbow with a straight arm as the Sinkram course or with a bent elbow as in PYTP. You can put Your none working hand on Your wrist but Your arm will be pretty much straight. A way that I like to do them is with a towel or isometric strap. All these can be done isometrically. It's all in what You like.
Don't forget about VRT side laterals. There's not much You can change with these except speed and tension. So I just thought I'd share an exercise I like. Do You guys like Side Laterals? If not what is an exercise You like?
No reason for appology, I just don't understand the magical and mystical stuff. Nothing is magical, it's all about what works for the person. I'm glad You like what You do. For a man of Your age and what You're going through You've gotten great results. That is very important for the person to stick to something. I love to see guys like You that don't give up no matter what. You have my upmost respect.
I admit my training style is more of a bodybuilder on a lesser level. Whether it's right or wrong I enjoy it. Plus I like my conditioning. Anyhow, I just think it's interesting to see an exercise like this and how many tools that can be used to do it.
Sorry, Michael, I did not have the intention to thrust the advice. I like your words that we are all different.
I don't understand what this has to do with side laterals. Anyhow, I train different than you which is fine, I respect what you do and anyone else for that matter.
Yes I use external resistance like calisthenics, light dumbbells, self resistance, cables and Isometrics. Reason being is I work physical jobs 6-7 days a week. My body needs to be ready for the weight I need to handle everyday. It makes my job easier. Some guys can get away with only working but unfortunately I'm not one of those guys. VRT doesn't help make my job easier. I like it but if it doesn't help me why should I use it?
Again, the big advantage of voluntary co-contraction exercises is a possibility to involve all muscle fibers in training because we are not related to a vector of any external force or gravity.
Michael,
Do you mean Lateral Deltoid Exercises? I do VRT and stick exercises for these muscles. Deltoids are very important muscles if we want to look fitted.