Back Exercise: Dumbbell Shrugs

The trapezius muscle often referred to as "traps" forms part of your upper back muscles. Well-developed traps give the illusion of broad shoulders and are also a major contributor to the development of the sexy "v-tapered" look. The traps run from the back of the neck and shoulders and run all the way through the top portion of your back in a "V" shape.

Dumbbell shrugs are the most common traps exercise as they target that muscle directly, together with other muscles of your back such as the rhomboids and levator scapula, situated in your neck area.

To perform this exercise:

• Stand with your legs about hip width apart and grasp a suitable weight dumbbell in each hand.
  
• Keep your arms relaxed at your sides.
  
• UPWARD: As you inhale, lift your shoulders and squeeze them at the top for a short while before curling them slightly forward.
  
• DOWNWARD: On the downward movement, allow your traps to relax and let your arms relax back at your sides before going for another repetition.
  

The ending position of the dumbbell shrug exercise

Author: Dimi Ingle.
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