Stand holding the cable handles and raise your shoulders straight upward to shorten the trapezius muscles. Perform the movement with a controlled pause at the top and a slow descent.
How to do the Shrug (Cable)#
- Set the cable to a comfortable height and grasp one handle in each hand with your arms relaxed at your sides.
- Stand tall with feet about hip-width apart and maintain a neutral spine throughout.
- Lift your shoulders straight up toward your ears, keeping the arms long and motion limited to the shoulder girdle.
- Hold the top position briefly, feeling the contraction in your traps.
- Lower your shoulders slowly back to the starting position and repeat for the desired number of reps.
Muscles worked#
Common mistakes#
- Rolling the shoulders in a circular motion instead of lifting straight up.
- Using the arms to pull the weight rather than elevating the shoulders.
- Leaning back or using torso momentum to help the lift.
- Lowering the shoulders too quickly without control.
