This is the third workout routine in our strength series of body part routines. In this article you will get to know about the workouts that help you to target your trapezius muscles, in short the traps. Let's start with the anatomy of trapezius muscles, then move on to each workout and your traps workout routine.
Anatomy of traps
Traps or Trapezius muscle are two large surface muscles on the backside of your upper torso.
Traps muscles originate from the occipital bone, Ligamentum Nuchae, and the Spinous Process of Vertebra C7 to T12( the base of the skull, neck, and the upper part of the spine).
Trapezius muscles insert into the lateral clavicle, acromion, and the spine of the scapula.
Your traps can be divided into three regions based on their functioning.
The upper fibers of the trapezius muscle support the weight of the arm. Its function is to rotate upward and elevate the scapula.
The middle fibers will pull the shoulder blades together (shoulder retraction).
The lower fibers of the trapezius muscle depress the scapula and help the upper traps in upward rotation of the scapula.
Muscle fiber types and training strategy
Lagging / forgotten parts- how to get overall development?
Your traps training does not mean you have to train your upper traps only.
Training your upper traps only will strengthen them and this will cause strength imbalance.
Muscle imbalance can affect your joint health and can lead to injury.
So you have to do the workouts to strengthen weak muscles and thus even out that imbalance.
Workout Tips
Sets: 2-3 sets each exercise
Reps: 4-8 reps.
For upper traps, you aim for higher reps. Slow-twitch muscle fibers are dominant in upper traps. For middle and lower traps, low reps will work.
Frequency: Frequency is the number of times you train your muscles each week. It's good to train your traps once every week.
Rest in between sets: 60-90 s rest is best for muscle hypertrophy. Your ATP will be restored during this time.
Progressive overload: increase the weight lifted if you hit your target reps. If your target rep is 6, increase the weight lifted if you have done six reps. Progressive overload is the key to muscle growth.
Exercise selection
If you want to train them more, add the workouts listed here.
Equipment for your traps workouts
Barbell, is an iron rod with a provision to add weights at both ends. They are 4ft to 7 ft long, for our purpose we need 7ft bar or any larger than 5ft.
Trap bar: the bar looks like a hexagon in the middle which you can stand inside and grab the bar with a neutral grip.
It's a great innovation by Al Gerard, to replace the barbell due to lower back injury.
The trap bar is lower back safe and the study shows, it does more power during deadlifts.
Dumbbell is a short bar with weights attached to each end.
Weight plates are usually made of cast iron. It is added to the barbell to increase weight.
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How to do each exercise
Let's look at each of the exercises and how to do it properly. From the all-time favorite shrug to unknown dumbbell angled press.
Barbell Shrugs
Place the barbell on a power rack or weight stand. Grab the bar with a grip wider than shoulder-width apart.
Unrack and position the barbell in front of you with your arms straight. Keep your chest up and take a deep breath.
Shrugs with barbell:
Pull the weight by shrugging your shoulder towards the ears. Try to touch your ears with shoulders. This will squeeze your upper shoulder muscles. Pause and then lower the weight to the starting position.
Breathe out and take a big breath to do the next rep.
Don't use your knee and hips to assist you while lifting the weight up. Use proper form while lifting.
Your elbows must be locked in position. Do not flex your arms while shrugging, as its seen while the weight goes up.
Dumbbell shrugs
-dumbbell workout for traps
Grab two dumbbells and stand upright. Keep the dumbbells to your sides and elbows close to the body.
Shrugs with dumbbell:
Similar to barbell shrug, pull your shoulders up to touch ears. Hold at the top and lower the weight to the starting position.
The barbell shrug places a lot of stress on your spine and shoulders. While the dumbbell shrug using a neutral grip is shoulder-friendly.
Snatch grip high pull
As the Christian Thibaudeau of t nation saying
“one exercise that can make a visual difference in a physique within two workouts.”
Grab the bar with a grip wider than shoulder-width(wider). With your back in its neutral position, shoulder blades squeezed together and your chest up.
Pull the bar explosively towards the neck using your legs, hips, shoulders, and traps. While pulling, the bar must be close to your body.
At the top, the elbows will be above the bar, then lower the bar to the starting position in a similar explosive way as you have lifted. Use the knees and hips as shock absorbers when you hang the weight at the bottom.
Face pull - middle and lower trap
Adjust the pulley height to match your upper chest on the cable machine.
Grab the rope with palms facing each other and arms straight. Squeeze your shoulder blades together.
Pull the rope towards the face by extending upper arms at shoulders(horizontal abduction).
Pause when the elbows are in line with the shoulders (when the muscles are fully contracted). This position will look like you are flexing your arms, like hitting a double bicep pose. Slowly return to the starting position and repeat.
Single-arm trap-3 raise
Grab a light dumbbell in one arm and place your opposite forearm on an incline bench. Place your forehead on the forearm.
Position your feet staggered and hang the dumbbell directly below your shoulders.
Pull your shoulder blade up and raise the dumbbells until it reaches your shoulder height towards your front.
Pause at the top and return to the starting position. During the workout, focus on your lower trap muscle fibers.
Forearm Wall Slide
Stand facing closer to the wall and keep your forearms against it. Squeeze your shoulder blades together throughout the movement.
Slide the forearms upwards, focus on your lower traps during the movement. Lower and repeat.
Workout routine for your traps
Exercise | sets | Reps |
|---|---|---|
Barbell shrug / High pull | 3 | 6-8 |
Face pull | 3 | 4-6 |
Single-arm trap-3 raise / Alternating Forearm Wall Slide | 3 | 6 |
*Does not include warm-up sets, do 2-3 warm-up sets with light weights before doing working sets.
Rest for 60- 90 s between sets
Frequency: once every week.
A good workout is not enough for building big traps; you have to get proper nutrition and rest.
Muscle growth happens outside the gym. So take care of your nutrition and get enough sleep.
-Arun
Image credits: https://github.com/everkinetic/data