Barbell Shrugs

Exercise Animation

Exercise Details

Equipment

barbell

Difficulty

Beginner

Type

isolation

Muscle Focus

Primary Muscles
traps

Instructions

  1. 1.Stand up straight with your chest out, holding a barbell (or EZ bar) in your arms with an overhand grip and your palms facing backward. Your hands should be shoulder width apart on the barbell. This is your starting position.
  2. 2.Raise your shoulders up, focusing on contracting your traps and trying to touch your shoulders to your ears.
  3. 3.At the top of the movement, hold the contraction for a full second before slowly returning to the starting position.
  4. 4.Repeat for as many repetitions as required.

Tips

  • Perform the reps slowly and in a controlled manner. Rushing this exercise can lead to injury.
  • Look up slightly when doing this exercise to enhance the trap contraction.
  • Avoid using bouncing or swinging motions as you lift the weight.

Breathing Instructions

Breathe in during the eccentric (lowering) portion of the exercise and breathe out during the cocentric (elevation) portion.

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