Best Beginner Trapezius Workouts For Men

About

Beginner exercises focus on simple yet effective movements, utilizing accessible equipment with a lower risk of injury.

These exercises are tailored for those with less than a year of experience, using slightly reduced weights to emphasize proper technique while still delivering a challenging workout.

Trapezius muscles, or "Traps," form the upper back between the shoulders and play a significant role in back and shoulder movements, often targeted through specific exercises like shrugs.

The routines consider an average male profile—5'10", 180lbs, 35 years old—but adjustments can be made to align with individual capabilities and progress.

This curated workout provides an excellent foundation for strengthening the traps effectively.

The 12 Best Beginner Trapezius Exercises for Men

Ranked By

Ranked based on Fitbod's internal data set of the most effective exercises. Learn More

  • 1. Upright Row

    SETS LOGGED
    1,999,854
    Trapezius Strength
    85 mScore
    Trapezius
    Photo of Barbells
    Barbells

    The Upright Row is an exercise that mainly strengthens your shoulder muscles, particularly the trapezius. Using a barbell helps you focus on the movement without worrying about balance, making it an effective way to build strength for activities like Olympic lifts.

    How to do it

    The Upright Row is an exercise that mainly strengthens your shoulder muscles, particularly the trapezius. Using a barbell helps you focus on the movement without worrying about balance, making it an effective way to build strength for activities like Olympic lifts.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    35lbs
    2
    8reps
    35lbs
    3
    8reps
    35lbs
  • 2. Barbell Shrug

    SETS LOGGED
    1,111,797
    Trapezius Strength
    100 mScore
    Trapezius
    Photo of Barbells
    Barbells

    The Barbell Shrug is an exercise that targets your trapezius muscles, located in your upper back. Using a barbell helps you maintain stability, allowing you to focus on lifting your shoulders effectively.

    How to do it

    The Barbell Shrug is an exercise that targets your trapezius muscles, located in your upper back. Using a barbell helps you maintain stability, allowing you to focus on lifting your shoulders effectively.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    60lbs
    2
    8reps
    60lbs
    3
    8reps
    60lbs
  • 3. Dumbbell Shrug

    SETS LOGGED
    2,582,465
    Trapezius Strength
    93 mScore
    Trapezius
    Photo of Dumbbells
    Dumbbells

    The Dumbbell Shrug is a simple exercise that strengthens your upper back, specifically the trapezius muscles. Using dumbbells helps target each side equally and allows for a full range of motion.

    How to do it

    The Dumbbell Shrug is a simple exercise that strengthens your upper back, specifically the trapezius muscles. Using dumbbells helps target each side equally and allows for a full range of motion.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    25lbs
    2
    8reps
    25lbs
    3
    8reps
    25lbs
  • 4. Hammerstrength Shrug

    SETS LOGGED
    261,989
    Trapezius Strength
    97 mScore
    Trapezius
    Photo of Hammerstrength (Leverage) Machine (all forms)
    Hammerstrength (Leverage) Machine (all forms)

    The Hammerstrength Shrug is a machine exercise that targets your shoulder muscles. It guides your movement on a fixed path, helping you focus on your form and strength.

    How to do it

    The Hammerstrength Shrug is a machine exercise that targets your shoulder muscles. It guides your movement on a fixed path, helping you focus on your form and strength.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    60lbs
    2
    8reps
    60lbs
    3
    8reps
    60lbs
  • 5. Machine Shoulder Shrug

    SETS LOGGED
    94,471
    Trapezius Strength
    15 mScore
    Trapezius
    Photo of Shoulder Shrug Machine
    Shoulder Shrug Machine

    The Machine Shoulder Shrug is a simple exercise that strengthens the trapezius muscles, which are located in your upper back. This beginner-friendly exercise supports your body and minimizes stress on other muscles while you focus on the shrugging motion.

    How to do it

    The Machine Shoulder Shrug is a simple exercise that strengthens the trapezius muscles, which are located in your upper back. This beginner-friendly exercise supports your body and minimizes stress on other muscles while you focus on the shrugging motion.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    55lbs
    2
    8reps
    55lbs
    3
    8reps
    55lbs
  • 6. Dumbbell Upright Row

    SETS LOGGED
    1,553,175
    Trapezius Strength
    45 mScore
    Trapezius
    Photo of Dumbbells
    Dumbbells

    The Dumbbell Upright Row is a strength exercise that mainly works your shoulder muscles, especially the traps. Using dumbbells increases the challenge and helps address any strength differences between your arms.

    How to do it

    The Dumbbell Upright Row is a strength exercise that mainly works your shoulder muscles, especially the traps. Using dumbbells increases the challenge and helps address any strength differences between your arms.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    20lbs
    2
    8reps
    20lbs
    3
    8reps
    20lbs
  • 7. Smith Machine Shrug

    SETS LOGGED
    276,643
    Trapezius Strength
    96 mScore
    Trapezius
    Photo of Smith Machine
    Smith Machine

    The Smith Machine Shrug is a shoulder exercise that helps build strength in the trapezius muscles. Using a Smith machine provides stability, allowing you to focus on your form and effectively target the muscles.

    How to do it

    The Smith Machine Shrug is a shoulder exercise that helps build strength in the trapezius muscles. Using a Smith machine provides stability, allowing you to focus on your form and effectively target the muscles.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    60lbs
    2
    8reps
    60lbs
    3
    8reps
    60lbs
  • 8. Smith Machine Upright Row

    SETS LOGGED
    196,556
    Trapezius Strength
    7 mScore
    Trapezius
    Photo of Smith Machine
    Smith Machine

    The Smith Machine Upright Row is an exercise that strengthens your shoulders and upper body. Using the Smith Machine helps you maintain good form and reduce the risk of injury.

    How to do it

    The Smith Machine Upright Row is an exercise that strengthens your shoulders and upper body. Using the Smith Machine helps you maintain good form and reduce the risk of injury.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    40lbs
    2
    8reps
    40lbs
    3
    8reps
    40lbs
  • 9. Barbell Behind The Back Shrug

    SETS LOGGED
    117,301
    Trapezius Strength
    99 mScore
    Trapezius
    Photo of Barbells
    Barbells

    The Barbell Behind The Back Shrug is a targeted exercise for the trapezius muscles in your upper back. By holding the barbell behind you, it ensures your shoulders remain properly aligned during the movement.

    How to do it

    The Barbell Behind The Back Shrug is a targeted exercise for the trapezius muscles in your upper back. By holding the barbell behind you, it ensures your shoulders remain properly aligned during the movement.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    60lbs
    2
    8reps
    60lbs
    3
    8reps
    60lbs
  • 10. Cable Upright Row

    SETS LOGGED
    535,737
    Trapezius Strength
    87 mScore
    Trapezius
    Photo of Hi-Lo Pulley Cable
    Hi-Lo Pulley Cable

    The Cable Upright Row is a resistance exercise that strengthens your shoulders and upper back. Using a cable allows for better control and constant tension, making it effective for building muscle and strength.

    How to do it

    The Cable Upright Row is a resistance exercise that strengthens your shoulders and upper back. Using a cable allows for better control and constant tension, making it effective for building muscle and strength.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    35lbs
    2
    8reps
    35lbs
    3
    8reps
    35lbs
  • 11. Smith Machine Behind the Back Shrug

    SETS LOGGED
    127,074
    Trapezius Strength
    94 mScore
    Trapezius
    Photo of Smith Machine
    Smith Machine

    The Smith Machine Behind the Back Shrug is an exercise that targets the upper traps and rear deltoids by using a barbell positioned behind your body. It helps improve shoulder strength while providing stability to lift heavier weights safely.

    How to do it

    The Smith Machine Behind the Back Shrug is an exercise that targets the upper traps and rear deltoids by using a barbell positioned behind your body. It helps improve shoulder strength while providing stability to lift heavier weights safely.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    50lbs
    2
    8reps
    50lbs
    3
    8reps
    50lbs
  • 12. Scapular Pull Up

    SETS LOGGED
    246,127
    Trapezius Strength
    48 mScore
    Trapezius
    Photo of Pull Up Bar
    Pull Up Bar

    The Scapular Pull Up is a bodyweight exercise that strengthens your shoulder stability and works on pulling your shoulder blades together. It helps improve your upper back strength and posture without lifting your body high like regular pull-ups.

    How to do it

    The Scapular Pull Up is a bodyweight exercise that strengthens your shoulder stability and works on pulling your shoulder blades together. It helps improve your upper back strength and posture without lifting your body high like regular pull-ups.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    6reps
    2
    6reps
    3
    6reps

Alternative Workouts

Alternative Beginner Trapezius Workouts

Alternative Beginner Workouts for Men

Alternative Trapezius Workouts for Men