Dumbbell shrugs, also known as dumbbell shoulder shrugs, are isolation exercises that target the upper trapezius muscle. The shrug is a frontal plane movement that involves scapular elevation (raising the shoulder girdle directly toward the ears). Remember, your traps can handle significant loads due to their mechanical advantage in this movement pattern. Once your form … Read more
I’ve tried many trap exercises over the years, and I can definitely say that cable exercises offer something special that you can’t get with dumbbells or barbells. Constant tension. With cables, your traps stay under tension throughout the entire range of motion, which is impossible with free weights. The result? Faster growth and better muscle … Read more
I’ve tested different trap exercises for years, and I can tell you that dumbbells are the best tool for building huge traps. Why? Because dumbbells allow for a greater range of motion and hit your traps from angles that barbells can’t reach. In this guide, I’m sharing the 10 BEST dumbbell exercises for your trapezius … Read more
Want to build amazing traps with a resistance band? Don’t worry, I’m here to help you out. After training hundreds of clients, I assure you that resistance bands build trap faster and as effectively as traditional weights. Bands provide continuous tension, which helps in deeper muscle fibre recruitment and more growth trap (the upper, lower, and middle … Read more
Renegade Row Push-Ups is a full-body exercise that combines a push-up with a row using dumbbells or other weights. It simultaneously targets multiple muscle groups, making it an efficient use of time for those looking to build strength and tone their upper body. The exercise’s movement requires coordination between the upper and lower body and helps develop better … Read more
Dumbbell push-ups are a variation of the traditional push-up exercise. Dumbbells allow a neutral grip, unlike a traditional push-up with a fixed, often hyperextended wrist position. So, for those who experience discomfort during standard push-ups, they help reduce stress on the wrist joint capsule and surrounding ligaments. They also allow for a deeper eccentric (lowering) phase, … Read more
Cable exercises are a great way to add variety to your shoulder workout routine. It is a great way to build strength and shape the delt muscles, because it has adjustable weight for resistance and different handle attachments, such as single handles, bars, or rope attachments. You can target all three major deltoid muscles with … Read more
The dumbbell lateral raise is an isolation exercise that targets the lateral or middle deltoid muscles. When you perform a lateral raise, you’re creating a lever system where the weight (dumbbell) is furthest from the fulcrum (shoulder joint). This creates significant torque at the shoulder, which is why even light weights can feel challenging. This … Read more
The Smith machine shoulder press is a popular shoulder (Deltoid) exercise among bodybuilders because it helps build muscle quickly. Some lifters prefer the Smith press over the barbell press because it provides extra shoulder joint safety, promoting heavier lifts. It specifically trains the front part of the shoulder (anterior deltoid), but you will also use some lateral … Read more