Cable Shrugs

What it is

You perform this isolation exercise using a cable machine to strengthen and build your trapezius muscles. Stand erect and elevate your shoulders straight up towards your ears. This movement primarily targets your upper back and neck, helping to improve posture and muscle definition.

Technique tips

• Use an overhand, shoulder-width grip on the cable bar.
• Maintain fully extended arms without bending your elbows.
• Focus on elevating only your shoulders directly upwards.
• Shrug your shoulders high, then control the descent slowly.
• Exhale as you lift your shoulders, inhale as you lower them.
• Keep your head neutral, looking straight ahead.

How to track your progress

Log the weight and reps of each set. Straddly turns every set into an estimated one-rep max, so a heavier single and a strong set of eight both count as progress, and it flags a personal record the moment you beat your best.