5 Great At Home Traps & Neck Exercises

Continuing in the series of articles, which I will provide you with a few exercises in each article, that will be specific for one main muscle group. However, most of these exercises will also work additional muscles as well. When this series of articles is complete, you will have an arsenal of exercises that will target every muscle group in your entire body.

Note: I do not recommend that you only target (or isolate) a single muscle group for a complete work out. When you attempt to "isolate" muscles by performing single-joint exercises, you are actually creating a body that is non-functional and will be more prone to injury. Essentially, you are creating a body that is a compilation of body parts, instead of a powerful, functional unit that works together.

Part Six: Traps & Neck Exercises

Traps

Dumbbell Shrug

Main Muscle Worked: Traps
Equipment: Dumbbell

1. Stand erect with a dumbbell on each hand (palms facing your torso), arms extended on the sides.
2. Lift the dumbbells by elevating the shoulders as high as possible while you exhale. Hold the contraction at the top for a second. Tip: The arms should remain extended at all times. Refrain from using the biceps to help lift the dumbbells. Only the shoulders should be moving up and down.
3. Lower the dumbbells back to the original position.
4. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

Clean Shrug

Main Muscle Worked: Traps
Other Muscles: Forearms, Shoulders
Equipment: Barbell

1. Begin with a shoulder width, double overhand or hook grip, with the bar hanging at the mid thigh position. Your back should be straight and inclined slightly forward.
2. Shrug your shoulders towards your ears. While this exercise can usually by loaded with heavierweight than a clean, avoid overloading to the point that the execution slows down.

Standing Dumbbell Upright Row

Main Muscle Worked: Traps
Other Muscles: Biceps, Shoulders
Equipment: Dumbbell

1. Grasp a dumbbell in each hand with a pronated (palms forward) grip that is slightly less than shoulder width. The dumbbells should be resting on top of your thighs. Your arms should be extended with a slight bend at the elbows and your back should be straight. This will be your starting position.
2. Use your side shoulders to lift the dumbbells as you exhale. The dumbbells should be close to the body as you move it up and the elbows should drive the motion. Continue to lift them until they nearly touch your chin. Tip: Your elbows should drive the motion. As you lift the dumbbells, your elbows should always be higher than your forearms. Also, keep your torso stationary and pause for a second at the top of the movement.
3. Lower the dumbbells back down slowly to the starting position. Inhale as you perform this portion of the movement.
4. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

Caution: Be very careful with how much weight you use in this exercise. Too much weight leads to bad form, which in turn can cause shoulder injury. I've seen this too many times so please no jerking, swinging and cheating. Also, if you suffer from shoulder problems, you may want to stay away from upright rows and substitute by some form of lateral raises.

Neck

Chin To Chest Neck Stretch

Main Muscle Worked: Neck
Other Muscles: Traps
Equipment: None

1. Get into a seated position on the floor.
2. Place both hands at the rear of your head, fingers interlocked, thumbs pointing down and elbows pointing straight ahead. Slowly pull your head down to your chest. Hold for 20-30 seconds

Isometric Neck Exercise - Front And Back

Main Muscle Worked: Neck
Equipment: Body Only

1. With your head and neck in a neutral position (normal position with head erect facing forward), place both of your hands on the front side of your head.
2. Now gently push forward as you contract the neck muscles but resisting any movement of your head. Start with slow tension and increase slowly. Keep breathing normally as you execute this contraction.
3. Hold for the recommended number of seconds.
4. Now release the tension slowly.
5. Rest for the recommended amount of time and repeat with your hands placed on the back side of your head.

Take these exercises, along with those from the previous articles and the ones that will follow in the next few articles, and combine them to create your own total body work out routine. In addition, put in place a healthy diet, and you will be well on your way to being healthy and fit.

Always remember to warm up for at least 5 - 10 minutes before beginning a work out routine.



Want some ideas for your abs? Give the Truth About Abs program a try.

Take a look at The Gabriel Method weight loss program, this guy lost over 200 pounds!

Related Posts

5 Great At Home Triceps Exercises

5 Great At Home Biceps Exercises

5 Great At Home Abdominal Exercises

5 Great At Home Shoulder Exercises

5 Great At home Chest Exercises



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