When most people think of pool workouts, cardio comes to mind: running, skiing, or jumping to raise the heart rate. But when it comes to building strong, healthy shoulders, the first step isn’t speed, it’s skill.
Shoulders are one of the most mobile joints in the body, but that freedom also makes them vulnerable. Without stability, the larger muscles end up overworking while the smaller stabilizers stay weak. Over time, that imbalance can lead to strain or injury.
The good news? With just a pool noodle and a few focused drills, you can train shoulder control, protect your joints, and build the foundation for strength that lasts.
Stand with your feet wide for stability. Place one hand on the noodle at the surface of the water. With the opposite arm, reach across your body toward the noodle, then sweep back out to the side. Keep your thumb up and lead with the back of your hand.
The hand on the noodle puts the focus on the shoulder stabilizers — the deep muscles that support the joint. Slow, controlled sweeps make those muscles work in the way they’re designed to, protecting your shoulders as you move.
Next, place both hands on the noodle with arms extended. Press down gently while rotating your torso side to side. Maintain steady pressure into the noodle as you move.
This simple action reinforces shoulder stability while engaging your core. You’ll feel the connection between your arms, shoulders, and torso — because strong shoulders don’t work in isolation. They’re part of your whole-body system.
Skill training is about quality, not quantity. By slowing down, you strengthen the muscles that keep your shoulders supported and healthy. You also prepare your body for more challenging workouts, layering cardio and resistance on top of a solid foundation.
Shoulder pain is common, but it doesn’t have to be inevitable. Drills like the single arm sweep and noodle press strengthen the stabilizers that keep your shoulders strong. Whether you’re swimming, gardening, or carrying groceries, the payoff is clear: you move with more ease and less risk of injury.
Ready to take it further? In the next article, we’ll combine these skill drills with cardio so you can build strength and endurance at the same time.
And make sure to check out Wavemakers — easy-going, results-focused sessions that will change the way you move for good.