NECK - TRAPS

Lying Face Down Plate Neck Resistance Guide

Main Muscle: Neck

1. Lie face down with your whole body straight on a flat bench while holding a weight plate behind your head. Tip: You will need to position yourself so that your shoulders are slightly above the end of a flat bench in order for the upper chest, neck and face to be off the bench. This will be your starting position.
2. While keeping the plate secure on the back of your head slowly lower your head (as in saying "yes") as you breathe in.
3. Raise your head back up to the starting position in a semi-circular motion as you breathe out. Hold the contraction for a second.
4. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

Caution: As with all exercises, refrain from using any sort of sudden or jerking motions.
Variation: You can opt to use no resistance at first.

Smith Machine Shrug Guide

Main Muscle: Traps

1. To begin, set the bar height on the smith machine around the middle of your thighs. Once the correct height is chosen and the bar is loaded, grab the bar using a pronated grip (palms facing you) shoulder width apart from each other.
2. Lift the barbell up and fully extend your arms with your back straight. This is the starting position.
3. While exhaling, elevate the bar by raising your shoulders until they come close to touching your ears.
4. Hold the contraction for a second before lowering the bar back down to the starting position while inhaling.
5. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

Variations:

• This exercise can be performed using a squat rack with a barbell. However, be careful not to select a weight that is so heavy that it causes you to break good form as you do not have the support of the smith machine for this variation. Too much weight can harm your back.
• You can also use dumbbells to perform this exercise.

Standing Dumbbell Upright Row Guide

Main Muscle: Traps

1. Grasp a dumbbell in each hand with a pronated (palms forward) grip that is slightly less than shoulder width. The dumbbells should be resting on top of your thighs. Your arms should be extended with a slight bend at the elbows and your back should be straight. This will be your starting position.
2. Use your side shoulders to lift the dumbbells as you exhale. The dumbbells should be close to the body as you move it up and the elbows should drive the motion. Continue to lift them until they nearly touch your chin. Tip: Your elbows should drive the motion. As you lift the dumbbells, your elbows should always be higher than your forearms. Also, keep your torso stationary and pause for a second at the top of the movement.
3. Lower the dumbbells back down slowly to the starting position. Inhale as you perform this portion of the movement.
4. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

Caution: Be very careful with how much weight you use in this exercise. Too much weight leads to bad form, which in turn can cause shoulder injury. I've seen this too many times so please no jerking, swinging and cheating. Also, if you suffer from shoulder problems, you may want to stay away from upright rows and substitute by some form of lateral raises.
Variations: This exercise can also be performed using a straight bar attached to a low pulley and it can also be performed using an e-z bar.