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TRAIN THE SAME BODY PART

ALL BACK EXERCISES

01Pull-Up4 × 5–802Lat Pulldown4 × 8–1003Dumbbell Row4 × 10 / side04Seated Cable Row3 × 10–1205Chest-Supported Row3 × 8–1006Straight-Arm Pulldown3 × 1207Face Pull3 × 12–1508Reverse Fly3 × 12–1509Back Extension3 × 1210Dumbbell Shrug3 × 10–1211Barbell Bent-Over Row4 × 6–812T-Bar Row4 × 8–1013Pendlay Row3 × 6–814Single-Arm Cable Row3 × 10 / side15Meadows Row3 × 8–10 / side16Neutral-Grip Pulldown3 × 10–1217Wide-Grip Pulldown3 × 8–1018Rack Pull3 × 6–819Good Morning3 × 8–1020Scapular Pull-Up3 × 10–12

BACK / PULL

Dumbbell Shrug

A pulling movement that builds the back while reinforcing strong shoulder-blade control.

SETS / REPS3 × 10–12
REST75 sec
LEVELAll levels

MOVEMENT ILLUSTRATION

SEE THE MOVEMENT.

A six-frame Dumbbell Shrug reference. Follow the setup, controlled working path, return, and reset with the same form.

Dumbbell Shrug technique — set position

01SETBuild a stable starting position.

Dumbbell Shrug technique — brace position

02BRACECreate tension before moving.

Dumbbell Shrug technique — lower position

03LOWEREnter the range with control.

Dumbbell Shrug technique — work position

04WORKMove through the strongest path.

Dumbbell Shrug technique — return position

05RETURNControl the return phase.

Dumbbell Shrug technique — reset position

06RESETFinish balanced and repeat.

DO

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO

  • Pull with elbows
  • Keep ribs controlled
  • Avoid momentum
  • Finish each set with clean technique
DON'T

WHAT TO AVOID

  • Do not jerk the weight or turn the movement into a lower-back swing.
  • Do not shrug the shoulders toward the ears.
  • Do not shorten the return; allow the arms to lengthen with control.

STEP BY STEP

MOVE WITH CONTROL.

  1. Set your trunk and begin with long arms.
  2. Lead the pull with the elbows and move the shoulder blades smoothly.
  3. Pause briefly in the strongest position.
  4. Return under control without losing posture.
STOP IF SOMETHING FEELS WRONG.

Muscle effort is expected; sharp pain, dizziness, numbness, or unusual discomfort is not. Reduce the load or range, stop the exercise, and seek qualified guidance when needed.