Back · Cable · Isolation · Beginner

Cable Shrugs

Cable Shrugs, start position
Start
Cable Shrugs, end position
End
FrontBack
Primary
Main muscles
Traps

How to do it

  1. Grasp a cable bar attachment that is attached to a low pulley with a shoulder width or slightly wider overhand (palms facing down) grip.
  2. Stand erect close to the pulley with your arms extended in front of you holding the bar. This will be your starting position.
  3. Lift the bar by elevating the shoulders as high as possible as you exhale. Hold the contraction at the top for a second. Tip: The arms should remain extended at all times. Refrain from using the biceps to help lift the bar. Only the shoulders should be moving up and down.
  4. Lower the bar back to the original position.

Swaps on other equipment

Each has the traps as its main muscle and is also a pull, on a different piece of equipment.

Other trap exercises

Steps and photos from the public-domain Free Exercise DB, not individually reviewed. How this site is put together · Report a mistake