Cable shrug

Muscles worked: Back
Back
🔧 cable machine 🔄 Also works with resistance band ↕ Pull 🏋️ kg × reps Difficulty:

Muscle outlines from Body Muscles by Ivan Vulović, Apache 2.0 — regrouped and recoloured for Muscle Train.

How to perform

Set 2 cable handles as low as possible and assume a standing position with one handle in each hand. Inhale and contract the traps to elevate the shoulders. Squeeze hard at the top and slowly lower the handles back to the starting position. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

Muscles Worked

Upper trapeziusMiddle trapezius

Tips

Look slightly up during shrugs to enhance contraction, but avoid ballistic motion to protect the neck. Program traps with high reps and explosive work like snatch-grip high pulls. Keep the head from jutting forward to avoid neck strain. Add a pause at the top for better mind–muscle connection.

Similar exercises

Machine shrug Back · 🔧 Machine 1/10 Dumbbell shrug Back · 🔧 Dumbbells 2/10 Barbell shrug Back · 🔧 Barbell 2/10 Kettlebell shrug Back · 🔧 Kettlebell 2/10 Resistance band shrug Back · 🔧 Resistance band 1/10 Trap bar shrug Back · 🔧 Trap Bar 2/10 Ez bar shrug Back · 🔧 EZ Bar 2/10 Smith machine shrug Back · 🔧 smith machine 1/10
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