🏋️‍♂️ Why You Should Test Your Shoulder Strength – Not Just Train It

We train shoulders. We stretch them. We load them. But… do we test them?

The shoulder is one of the most mobile—and vulnerable—joints in the body. It's responsible for everything from reaching overhead to powering a barbell, controlling a kettlebell, swimming, climbing, and throwing. And yet, most people have no idea how strong their shoulder actually is, especially the rotator cuff—the group of deep muscles responsible for stabilising the joint.

That’s where physiotherapist-led comprehensive shoulder strength testing comes in.

The Rotator Cuff: Your Shoulder’s Unsung Hero

The rotator cuff doesn’t get much attention—until it fails.

It plays a vital role in stabilising the shoulder socket through motion, particularly internal and external rotation. Weakness or imbalance here is one of the most common causes of:

• Shoulder impingement

• Overhead pain in the gym

• Throwing-related injuries

• Pain during push / pull movements

  
  

The kicker? These imbalances are often present well before symptoms show up.

Why Test? What Can a Shoulder Strength Assessment Reveal?

At Up N Adam, we use advanced tools like the VALD DynaMo and ForceDecks to quantify shoulder strength across:

• Internal and external rotation at multiple angles (0° and 90°)

• Flexion, extension, abduction, and shrug

• Horizontal plane strength

• Force output and side-to-side asymmetry

We also perform the ASH Test, used in elite sport, to assess shoulder robustness under load.

With this testing, we can identify:

✅ Side-to-side strength differences

✅ Poor ER:IR ratios (which should be around 1.0–1.2)

✅ Weak links in scapular stability

✅ Underdeveloped long-lever strength (key for overhead athletes)

Strong Shoulder, Smart Shoulder

Shoulder testing isn’t just for injured people.

It’s for CrossFitters, swimmers, tennis players, climbers, manual workers, and anyone wanting to stay injury-free.

Think of it like a rego check for your upper body. Just like runners test VO₂ or lactate, your shoulders deserve the same objective attention.

🔧 What Happens After the Test?

Once we gather your strength profile, we:

• Tailor your rehab/prehab to your weak areas

• Track improvements over time

• Build a shoulder that’s not just strong—but resilient

In short: We bulletproof your shoulders.

Ready to Get Tested?

If you've had recurring shoulder niggles, if you're throwing or lifting overhead regularly, or if you simply want a clear read on your shoulder performance:

👉 Book in for a Comprehensive Shoulder Strength Assessment with us at Up N Adam.

Let’s stop guessing. Start testing. And build stronger, smarter shoulders that last.

This is Newcastle Knights Physiotherapists, Katie Hamment & Hayd'n Baragry , signing off for now!

You can book a Shoulder Strength Test Initial Appointment with Katie or Hayd'n at www.upnadamptphysio.com

Bookings also available on our website for:

• Dietitian - Sweat testing, weight-loss or to optimise your training nutrition / fueling

• VO2 Max testing - to discover more effective ways to train efficiently

• Strength & Conditioning Programs - contact us via the website or email us at upnadamptphysio@gmail.com

• Remedial Massage - to relieve accumulative muscle tension & keep you training well.