How to Build Huge Trapezius Muscles with New Trap Exercises

How many times have you witnessed someone trying to do shrugs with an unreasonable amount of weight. I have seen guys trying to use 110lbs dumbbells in each hand. This doesn’t seem effective and is quite frankly rediculous. There are many exercises that can work your “traps” or Trapezius muscles, other than extreme weight shrugs.

So I asked him why he was doing what he was doing. He said, “Traps are where it’s at!” I tend to agree with him.

Your trapezius muscles sit on your shoulders and span from the edge of your shoulders all the way to your neck.

If your traps aren’t developed just be glad they they can be the biggest improvement in your overall look, and grow really quickly. With well developed traps, you will raise the bar from looking like a regular Joe to looking like a body builder.

Trapezius “Trap” Exercises

People assume the only way to build traps is to do the classic exercise, shoulder shrugs. It is a good exercise, but it’s not the only exercise. Shrugs have been around for ages and are a core move to develop traps. Just as squats are to developing hamstrings, shrugs are a power lift for traps, but there are actually other, more effective ways. Here is a routine that will help devel to develop the traps you desire.

1. Shrugs 3 sets X 10 - 12 reps

These had to be included, they are the key to a successful trap training. Now I know we have all done shrugs before, but I would like to included a few tips. Now I know that when I use the standard shrug form and fully contract my traps, they end up hitting my neck resulting in a limited contraction. If you push your head as far forwardas possible, it will remove your neck from the range of motion and allow your traps to fully contract. Once you have flexed your traps, hold the position for two seconds and slowly release. It is also good to sit on a bench to avoid cheating.

2. Lateral Raises, with Traps Flared 3 X 12 - 15

This can be a much harder move than the shrug. The first thing you want to do is flare your traps with the dumbbells in your hands. Next you will perform a lateral raise. This is just like a lateral raise done for shoulders, but with your traps flared, most of the pressure is put on your traps. You will want to start with 12 to 15 reps and not very much weight to maintain proper form and get used to the movement.

3. Bent over lateral raises, with Traps Flared 3 X 10 - 12

This is the same movement as the lateral raise, but you want to bend at the waist at about a 45 degree angle. This is great because it will hit the back of your traps. The rear traps are impressive because from behind you will look even more built, defined and strong.

These couple moves will greatly increase the size of your traps. Just add a few sets of each to the end of your workouts. If you are doing a split routine and work your deltoids (shoulders) on a seperate day, these exercises would fit in perfectly on that day.

Once you get started on this, sit back and prepare to watch your traps explode!

Learn more about how to gain muscle. Stop by Klint Newton’s site where you can find out all about the best way to gain muscle.

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