Barbell Shrugs

How to do it

1. Stand holding a barbell in front of the thighs with an overhand grip just outside the hips, arms fully extended.
2. Keep the knees soft and the spine tall as the starting position.
3. Elevate the shoulders straight up toward the ears, avoiding any rolling motion, to work the traps of the upper back.
4. Hold the top position briefly and squeeze the shoulders together.
5. Lower the shoulders back down under control, inhaling on the way down and exhaling on the shrug up.
6. Keep the arms straight throughout and avoid using the elbows to help heave the bar upward.

Muscles worked

Related Traps exercises