How many times have you witnessed someone trying to do shrugs with an unreasonable amount of weight. I have seen guys trying to use 110lbs dumbbells in each hand. This doesn’t seem effective and is quite frankly rediculous. There are many exercises that can work your “traps” or Trapezius muscles, other than extreme weight shrugs.
If you don’t mind looking like a fitness model (which I agree isn’t that bad), then don’t worry about your traps. I happen to think they are what sets the body builder look apart from the body of a fitness model, among other things. No wonder people work so hard to get huge traps.
The trapezius muscles are the muscles that sit on top of your shoulders above your collar bone that extend from the edge of your shoulders all the way to your neck.
Traps are a muscle that separates the men from the boys. They can be an amazing sight, and can be downright scary, and sometimes just ridiculously big. Big traps can be the difference between you looking like a person that lifts weights and a person that doesn’t. Big traps can be the difference in a fit guy looking like a fitness model, or a bodybuilder. Huge traps basically send a message, they are a statement. What are your traps saying?
Trap Exercises
Most people associate building big traps with “Shrugs.” The shrug is a good exercise for trap development, but it’s not the only one. The shrug has been around for years and is a staple for building traps just as the bench press is for the chest. I can’t deny that the shrug hits the traps well, but I would like to assert to you that there are others moves that can be effective in developing the coveted traps. Below is an effective trap building routine that will deliver excellent results.
1. Shrugs 3 sets X 10 - 12 reps
These had to be included, they are the key to a successful trap training. Now I know we have all done shrugs before, but I would like to included a few tips. Now I know that when I use the standard shrug form and fully contract my traps, they end up hitting my neck resulting in a limited contraction. If you push your head as far forwardas possible, it will remove your neck from the range of motion and allow your traps to fully contract. Once you have flexed your traps, hold the position for two seconds and slowly release. It is also good to sit on a bench to avoid cheating.
2. Lateral Raises, with Traps Flared 3 X 12-15
This is a tough little exercise. The first step is to flare your traps up with dumbbells in hand. Then perform a lateral raise by keeping your elbows almost locked and lifting the weight directly out to the side. This is the same thing as a normal lateral raise to hit the deltoids (shoulders), but with your traps flared like this, it really works them hard. I suggest doing 12-15 reps because it is difficult to use much weight and maintain proper form.
3. Bent over lateral raises, with Traps Flared 3 X 10 - 12
The bent over lateral raise is just like the last move but obviously bent over. This is good for hitting the back of your traps which helps you look more built, defined and strong from behind. You will want to bend at the waist at about a 45 degree angle.
These exercises will directly impact the growth of your traps. This addition to a workout can be incorporated into any workout split. For those doing a split, this would be a good addition to “shoulders day.”
Add this quick trap routine to your schedule and watch your traps explode in muscle growth!
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