Barbell Overhead Shrug

Targets the upper trapezius from a fully stretched position. It improves shoulder health and overhead stability for Olympic lifts.

Exercise Details

Level: Intermediate
Body Area: upper
Type: hinge

Required Equipment

Barbell

Target Muscle Groups

Primary

Trapezius

Secondary

Back

Setup

Press a barbell overhead with a wide grip. Lock your elbows and stand with a neutral spine.

Instructions

1. Shrug your shoulders toward your ears while keeping arms straight.
2. Squeeze the traps at the top.
3. Lower slowly with control.
4. Maintain a braced core.
5. Keep the bar aligned over your heels.

Common Mistakes

1. Bending the elbows.
2. Arching the lumbar spine.
3. Jutting the head forward.

Alternative Exercises

Wide Grip Behind the Neck Pulldown

Intermediate / Lat Pulldown Machine / Back / pull

An advanced lat-building variation that isolates the upper back. It requires significant shoulder mobility and emphasizes the outer fibers of the lats.

Wide Grip Behind the Neck Pull-Up

Advanced / Pull-up Bar / Back / pull

Targets the upper back and rear deltoids. Pulling behind the neck requires advanced shoulder mobility and focuses on scapular retraction.

Wide Grip Pull-Up

Intermediate / Pull-up Bar / Back / pull

Emphasizes the outer lats and teres major. This variation is the gold standard for building back width and the classic "V" taper.

Weighted Lying Twist

Intermediate / Stability (Swiss) Ball / Back / core

A rotational core exercise that targets the internal and external obliques. It is essential for developing rotational power and improving lateral spinal stability.

Underhand Pulldown

Beginner / Lat Pulldown Machine / Back / pull

A pulling exercise that increases bicep activation and targets the lower lats. The supinated grip allows for a deeper contraction and greater range of motion.

Twin Handle Parallel Grip Lat Pulldown

Beginner / Cable Crossover Machine / Back / pull

A back exercise using two separate handles to allow for a neutral grip. This variation is shoulder-friendly and builds significant mid-back thickness.