Seated
Lean-Forward Barbell Shrugs for
Building a Thicker Back and Traps
Windows
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This exercise is one of my favorite trap/shrug exercise. It works not only the traps
but the rhomboids and the teres major muscles as well, and very
effectively.
It does this due to
the unique position you'll be putting your body...instead of keeping
your upper body vertical (like in a normal shrug), you're going
to be leaning forward so that the angle of pull targets the traps
and the muscles of the upper back.
Plus, in addition to
hitting the traps and upper back, it's also going to work the
lower back, biceps, core and legs to a good extent as well, just
to maintain that body position while you're doing the shrug exercise.
All you need for this
one is a bench and a barbell and you're good to go. I'm using
315 lbs on the bar for this one - I'd recommend starting lighter
until you get a feel for the exercise and the demands it's going
to place on you.
Start by setting up
the bar in front of the end of the bench.
Now here's the trick...step
over the bar.
You want the bar BEHIND
your feet at the start of the exercise.
Lean forward and grasp
the bar, with a grip just outside your legs. Tighten up your core
as getting to the start position entails a short deadlift movement.
Lift the bar a few
inches off the ground (it'll be easier to see this in the video).
Don't come all the way up to vertical...you want to stay leaning
forward during the whole movement. Keep that core tight!
Now shrug the bar up
and into the back of your legs (the bar will hit your hams and
obviously you can't lift it any higher than that). The more bent-over
you are while doing this, the greater the range of motion you'll
be able to hit.
Don't bend so far over
that you lose the arch in your lower back, though. It's important
to keep the arch in order to support the spine and core optimally.
Hold that top position
and squeeze the traps hard then lower down and go again.
Because you're bent
forward, you're not only shrugging with the traps, you'll bringing
the scapulae (shoulder blades) together BEHIND you as well, which
works the rhomboids and teres major muscles.
THIS is what is going
to help improve your posture and thicken up your back...
By working those muscles
of the upper back, they'll be stronger and naturally pull your
shoulders back even while your body is at rest, which keeps you
in much better posture overall.
This is going to directly
oppose the usual sitting position of slouching forward with shoulders
caving in.
And as you can see
in the pic, as I come up, my arms are slightly bent as well. This
just happens naturally as you do the exercise and gives you some
heavy bicep work as well.
It's almost like doing
the start of a barbell row just to the point where your arms start
to bend.
One of the key things
to remember in this exercise is that a lot of the support should
be taken up on your LEGS...not from sitting with all your weight
on the bench. Try to just rest your butt on the edge of the bench
mostly for balance, while bearing most of the load on your legs.
Activating your legs
as well means you'll be activating your core and keeping your
lower back tight and strong. If you just sit fully on your butt,
you may find your core loses that "fireplug" strength.
So be sure and keep a good amount of the load on your legs while
shrugging.
Give this one a try
to finish off your next workout and you'll see why it's one of
my new favorites. Just a couple of sets of 6 to 8 reps is all
you'll need. And remember, start lighter until you get a good
feel for the exercise, then starting adding more weight.
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