Exercise:

Dumbbell Shrugs

Target Muscle:

Traps

Secondary Muscles:

Shoulders, Upper Back

Equipment Needed:

Dumbbells

Proper Execution:

Position your feet about shoulder-width apart and pick a pair of dumbbells up off the ground (using your legs, not your back). Fully extend your arms and then shrug the weight up towards your ears as high as you can. Squeeze your traps at the top of the movement, pause briefly and then lower the dumbbells back to the starting position. When you have reached muscular failure, bend at the legs and place the dumbbells back on the ground.

Tips:

Shrug the weight straight up and down rather than rolling your shoulders. Rolling your shoulders is a common mistake that could lead to an injury. Keep your arms completely straight throughout the entire movement and avoid cheating the weight up by bending your arms.