Are 18 inch shoulders broad, narrow, or just plain normal? It depends on 3 things: Your height, your gender, and, most importantly, how you’re measuring your shoulders.
So keep reading to learn whether or not 18″ shoulders are greater than the average woman’s shoulder width (and how they stack up for men as well).
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Table of Contents show
Are 18 inch shoulders broad for a female?
Are 18 inch shoulders broad for a female? Yes, 18 inch shoulders are broader than average for a woman by around 2-3 inches. So while 18 in shoulders definitely aren’t too wide for a woman, they definitely put you in the broad category as a female.
Of course, this is presuming that your shoulders are 18 inches from end to end (not just from acromion to acromion). Anyone—male or female—with an 18 inch clavicle width is very broad indeed.
But in terms of overall shoulder width, 18 inches is still a bit broader than normal for a woman and is likely an indication that you’re fairly tall or just happen to have a larger than normal build for a female.
Ultimately, having 18″ shoulders is definitely nothing to worry about. After all, there are still a decent number of women out there who have shoulders that are even wider than 18 inches!
Are 18 inch shoulders broad for a male?
Are 18 inch shoulders broad for a male? No, in most cases, 18 inch shoulders aren’t broad for a male, but they are a relatively normal width for an adult man.
Again, it depends on how you’re measuring. If you’re measuring your clavicle width, then yes, 18 in shoulders are definitely broad. But if you’re simply measuring the physical width of your shoulders, from either the front or back, then 18″ shoulders are pretty normal for a man.
If you wish that your 18 inch shoulders were wider, then you can definitely make your shoulders look broader by increasing the muscularity of your back muscles and deltoids. More on that in a minute.
How can you decrease the size of your 18 inch shoulders?
Knowing that many men have 18 inch shoulders, a number of women who have 18 inch shoulders themselves wish that they could decrease their measurement. But is this actually possible?
You can’t change your bone structure, at least not without questionable surgical intervention, but you can alter the tissue structures around your bones.
We have a decent amount of control over the quantity of muscle mass and fat tissue around our shoulders. So if you want to slim your 18 in shoulders, then you’ll need to avoid exercises that work your upper back muscles and deltoids to any significant extent.
Additionally, lowering your body weight will make it easier to shed muscle and fat. You can do this by eating in a moderate calorie deficit and increasing your activity level (walking, running, lower body exercise).
Just be wary of losing too much weight. It’s possible to be skinny while having 18 inch wide shoulders due to your bone structure, so you don’t want to harm your health by making yourself underweight.
How can you make your 18 inch shoulders bigger?
Although you can’t widen your clavicles unless they’re still growing, you can definitely add a lot of muscle mass to your frame, which will significantly broaden your shoulders—both in terms of perceived width and physical measurement.
While building muscular deltoids will certainly add some width to your shoulders, the upper back (lats and traps) will stretch the tape measure much further.
Thankfully, building muscle—although it requires physical effort—isn’t complicated. You just need to do at least one vertical pulling exercise and one horizontal pulling exercise in your program.
So you could do pull-ups and resistance band rows (great if you’re training at home).
Or you could do lat pulldowns and cable rows (ideal if you’re at the gym and really want to hone in on the target muscles).
The point is that you’re working the biggest muscles in your back, which, when well developed, will broaden your shoulders and give you a more imposing physique.
On the diet side of things, eating in a (moderate) calorie surplus will help you to increase your body mass and make the most of your weight training efforts.
Conclusion: Is it okay to have 18″ shoulders?
Yes, it’s perfectly fine to have 18 inch shoulders, regardless of whether you’re a man or a woman!
Sure, 18″ shoulders aren’t super broad for a man, but you can always make them wider by adding muscle mass to your frame.
And while it’s true that 18 in shoulders are a bit wider than normal for a woman, your shoulders aren’t extremely wide to the point where it sacrifices your femininity.
After all, we’re all built differently, and we all have body parts that we’re at least somewhat insecure about. So go out and enjoy your 18 inch shoulders!
As an enthusiast in fitness and body measurements, I can provide a thorough analysis of the information presented in the article about 18-inch shoulders. My knowledge in anatomy, exercise physiology, and body composition allows me to offer insights into the concepts discussed.
The article primarily focuses on whether 18-inch shoulders are considered broad, narrow, or normal for both males and females, emphasizing the importance of considering factors such as height, gender, and measurement technique.
1. Clavicle Width and Overall Shoulder Width:
- The article highlights the distinction between measuring clavicle width and overall shoulder width. For both genders, having an 18-inch clavicle width is considered broad. However, when measuring the complete shoulder width, 18 inches is indicated as broader than the average for women and normal for men.
2. Gender Differences:
- For women, 18-inch shoulders are considered broader than average, suggesting a taller stature or a larger build. In contrast, for men, 18-inch shoulders are described as relatively normal, with the caveat that measurement technique matters.
3. Altering Shoulder Size:
- The article explores the idea of altering shoulder size, acknowledging that bone structure cannot be changed. It suggests that controlling muscle mass and fat tissue around the shoulders can impact perceived width. Tips are provided for both decreasing and increasing shoulder size, emphasizing the role of exercises targeting the back muscles, particularly the deltoids, lats, and traps.
4. Making Shoulders Bigger:
- To make shoulders appear bigger, the article recommends exercises such as pull-ups, resistance band rows, lat pulldowns, and cable rows. Emphasis is placed on working the major muscles in the back, coupled with a (moderate) calorie surplus for optimal muscle growth.
5. Considerations for Women:
- Women with 18-inch shoulders who wish to decrease their measurement are advised to avoid exercises that engage the upper back muscles and deltoids. Additionally, maintaining a moderate calorie deficit and increasing overall activity levels are suggested for those aiming to reduce muscle and fat around the shoulders.
6. Conclusion:
- The conclusion affirms that having 18-inch shoulders is acceptable for both men and women. It reassures individuals that 18-inch shoulders, while broader than average for women, do not compromise femininity. The article encourages self-acceptance and emphasizes that everyone has unique body shapes and insecurities.
In summary, the article provides a comprehensive overview of the perception of 18-inch shoulders, addressing gender differences, measurement techniques, and practical tips for altering shoulder size through exercise and diet.
