An isolation exercise targeting the trapezius muscles using dumbbells to improve shoulder and neck strength and posture.
Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, holding dumbbells at your sides with arms extended. Shrug your shoulders up toward your ears by contracting your trapezius muscles. Hold the position briefly, then lower the dumbbells back to the starting position with control.
Begin standing with feet shoulder-width apart, holding dumbbells at your sides with arms fully extended.
Return to the starting position with arms extended and shoulders relaxed, maintaining good posture.
Shrug your shoulders up, hold the position, control the movement, maintain good posture
Using momentum, not maintaining proper posture, rushing the movement, allowing the dumbbells to swing
Increase dumbbell weight, add pause at top, perform single-arm variations, or add resistance bands.
Use lighter dumbbells, perform with resistance bands first, or use bodyweight shrugs.
Stop if you experience pain in the neck or shoulders. Maintain proper form to avoid strain. Focus on controlled movement rather than heavy weight.