Barbell Shrug

Setup

• Stand tall holding the bar at arm's length in front of the thighs.
• Arms straight, shoulders relaxed down.

Execution

1. 1.Shrug the shoulders straight up toward the ears.
2. 2.Pause briefly at the top.
3. 3.Lower under control to a full stretch.

Breathing

Exhale as you shrug, inhale as you lower.

Form cues

• Straight up and down — no rolling.
• Keep the arms straight; this is not a row.
• Pause at the top rather than bouncing.

Common mistakes

• Rolling the shoulders in circles.
• Bending the elbows to move more weight.
• Using so much load that the range shrinks to nothing.