Dumbbell Shrugs

Dumbbell Shrugs Instructions

Position your feet in an athletic stance slightly outside shoulder-width. Your knees are slightly bent and toes pointed straight ahead.
The core is braced and engaged. Shoulders are pinned back and eyes fixed straight ahead.
Grab a set of dumbbells, one in each hand resting at your sides, hands in a neutral position.
Lift (shrug) your shoulders straight up, think about bringing your traps to your ears. Quickly pause to hold the contraction.
DB's remain at your sides, don't let them drift in front of you. Maintain that initial, neutral hand position.
Release the hold and lower the DB's to the starting position.

Focus on the isolation of the traps.
Refrain from using your arms to pull the DB's up. The arms are merely a lever for your traps.
Don't use momentum or excess movement to elevate the DB's.

Filed in: dumbbell, isolation, pull, traps