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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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Step 6Lower Your Shoulders
- Slowly lower your shoulders back to the starting position.
- Control the movement to avoid dropping your shoulders too quickly.
- Step 7Repeat
- Perform the desired number of repetitions while maintaining proper form throughout the exercise.
- 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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