Power shrugs

By far and away my most favorite trap exercise. Nothing gets me feeling today burn in the traps quite like these. 2 sets of 20 w/275 did the trick yesterday. Hold for a solid 2-3 count at the top. Anybody else got a hard on for these?

I do pretty much the same on a plate-loaded deadlift machine at my gym. It allows for a slightly angled body position that you can't get with free weights.

But I also add db shrugs and front bb raises. The traps are pretty big muscles, and it takes a lot to feel that they've been properly worked.

Obviously deadlifts also.

I love training traps, because you can alternate between heavy holds or high volume bouncy reps. Also, db shrugs do wonders for grip strength. I used to use straps, but have noticed a seriously positive knock-on to deadlifts once I stopped using them. It's also a great stretching movement if you have short arms.
 
By far and away my most favorite trap exercise. Nothing gets me feeling today burn in the traps quite like these. 2 sets of 20 w/275 did the trick yesterday. Hold for a solid 2-3 count at the top. Anybody else got a hard on for these?

I'm torn btw using straps or not - how about you?

At 2.5 plates, or 275lbs I lose my grip after 6-8 reps, even if my shoulders are still going, no way my hands would last 20 reps.
 
I will strap up sometimes depending on weight and my grip. Sometimes if I do at the end of my workout my grip is gone so straps are a must plus I feel
Like you can isolate a lot better with straps.
 
I'm torn btw using straps or not - how about you?

At 2.5 plates, or 275lbs I lose my grip after 6-8 reps, even if my shoulders are still going, no way my hands would last 20 reps.

Straps are good for stuff like shrugs/RDL etc where you are holding the bar without anybreak between reps.

I use hookgrip for deadlifts, never have to worry about grip failing that way, but hookgrip for exercises where you are holding the bar for extended periods really kills the thumbs.
 
I'm little late to this but
Straps for me as well I can isolate my body part a lot better on pulling days also go a lot heavier
 
I have nice sized and shaped traps and never use more than 150 lbs total weight. If you do a complete movement slowly and hold it at the top you don’t “need” heavy weight to achieve nice traps. I only know this because I have a shoulder issue that prevents me going heavy on these.
 
Also, View attachment 85431
Smashing cup cakes in one bite have aided in my trap growth. :)
What's your favorite flavor?

And on topic I like doing barbell shrugs with up to 315lbs with the hooks in the rack just slightly below my knees and starting as if I am doing rack pulls with holding the bar slightly wider than shoulder width.
 

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