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Last updated March 5, 2026
LatsLower BackTeres MajorTrapezius

Shrug - Seated (Machine: Plate Loaded)

Sit tall and lift your shoulders straight up towards your ears. Pause at the top for a second, then lower them fully to stretch the traps.

Quick facts

Level
Beginner
Mechanic
Isolation
Force
Pull
Type
Strength
Injury Risk
Low
Hypertrophy
Medium
Calorie Burn
Low-Medium

Muscle focus

Primary and secondary muscle groups targeted by this movement.

Primary

Upper Traps

Secondary

Mid Traps

Equipment & setup

What you need and how to position yourself before starting.

Equipment

Leverage Machine

Movement pattern

Bilateral

Posture

Seated

Tracking parameters

repsweight

Step-by-step instructions

Follow these cues to master proper technique and stay safe through every rep.

  1. Step 1Setup
    • Adjust the seat height of the machine so that your shoulders align with the pads.
    • Sit down on the machine with your back against the support and feet flat on the floor.
  2. Step 2Position Your Arms
    • Place your arms on the pads with your hands gripping the handles or the machine's grips.
    • Ensure that your elbows are slightly bent and your shoulders are relaxed.
  3. Step 3Engage Your Core
    • Tighten your core muscles to stabilize your body during the exercise.
    • Keep your back pressed against the support to maintain proper posture.
  4. Step 4Lift Your Shoulders
    • Begin the movement by shrugging your shoulders upward towards your ears.
    • Focus on using your trapezius muscles to lift, not your arms.
  5. Step 5Hold the Position
    • At the top of the movement, hold the contraction for a brief moment.
    • Squeeze your shoulder blades together to maximize the engagement of the muscles.
  6. Step 6Lower Your Shoulders
    • Slowly lower your shoulders back to the starting position.
    • Control the movement to avoid dropping your shoulders too quickly.
  7. Step 7Repeat
    • Perform the desired number of repetitions while maintaining proper form throughout the exercise.
  8. Step 8Finish the Exercise
    • After completing your reps, carefully release the handles and sit back for a moment.
    • Stand up and adjust the machine back to its original position if necessary.

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Version 1 · Created November 12, 2025