Barbell Shrug
Muscle Group
Traps
Equipment
Barbell
Difficulty
Beginner
Shoulder shrugs with barbell to develop the upper trapezius.
How to Perform This Exercise
- 1 Stand upright, barbell in front of you.
- 2 With arms straight, shrug your shoulders as high as possible toward your ears.
- 3 Hold the contraction at the top for 1-2 seconds.
- 4 Lower shoulders slowly back to the starting position.
- 5 Keep arms straight throughout; only the shoulders should move.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Raising the weight too high or too fast using body momentum.
- Arching the back excessively during overhead presses.
- Using weights that are too heavy, compromising form and risking injury.
Muscles Worked
Front
Back
Primary Secondary
Primary Muscles
- Anterior deltoid
- Lateral deltoid
- Posterior deltoid
Secondary Muscles
- Trapezius
- Triceps
- Serratus anterior
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