Traps Exercises: Upper-Back Training Guide

Explore traps exercises with dumbbells, cables, and machines. Learn how each movement trains the upper back and review practical technique tips.

Traps exercises target the trapezius, the broad muscle spanning the upper back and neck. This collection includes movements using dumbbells, cables, machines, and bodyweight.

About traps exercises

The trapezius has upper, middle, and lower fibers that contribute to shoulder elevation, scapular retraction, and shoulder-blade control. Common choices include shrugs, face pulls, rowing variations, and controlled overhead work. Select exercises that match your experience, equipment, and training goals.

Technique guidance

Keep your torso steady, use a controlled range of motion, and avoid aggressively rolling the shoulders forward. Set cable and machine positions carefully, and maintain a secure grip when using heavy dumbbells or a barbell. Stop if you feel sharp pain and seek qualified coaching if your form is uncertain.

Kettlebell Single-Arm Clean and Press

The Kettlebell Single-Arm Clean and Press is a dynamic exercise that combines strength, coordination, and explosiveness. This exercise offers the unique benefit of training both the lower- and upper-body muscles in one fluid movement, while also engaging your core for stability. Execution Begin

Kettlebell Sumo Deadlift With High Pull

The Kettlebell Sumo Deadlift with High Pull is a dynamic exercise that combines strength, flexibility, and coordination. This exercise offers a unique mix of strength training and cardio, allowing you to train multiple muscle groups and raise your heart rate in one movement. Execution Begin with

Landmine Meadows Row

The Landmine Meadows Row is a powerful exercise that targets the development of your back muscles. This exercise offers a unique twist on the traditional rowing movement by using a landmine setup, creating a natural arcing motion that activates the muscles in a different way. Execution Place o

Landmine Row

The Landmine Row is a powerful exercise that targets the back muscles and offers a unique variation on the traditional rowing movement. Due to the angle and the way you hold the bar, you can build strength in a different way and challenge your back muscles. Execution Secure one end of a long bar

Lat Prayer

The lat prayer is one of the many pullover variations. Pullover exercises primarily activate the chest muscles, latissimus dorsi and serratus muscles. It therefore fits both a back workout and a chest workout. Lat Prayer Primary muscles: Latissimus dorsi (the large back muscle) Pectoralis major and

Lat Pulldown

The lat pulldown is named after the muscle primarily targeted by it: the latissimus dorsi, or the lats. The lat pulldown can be performed in several ways. It can be performed with a narrow, wide, or neutral grip (using a V-bar). The hands can be placed on the bar with the palms facing you (supinated

Lat Pulldown — Supinated Grip

The lat pulldown is named after the muscle it primarily targets: the latissimus dorsi, or the large back muscle. The lat pulldown can be performed in several ways. It can be performed with a narrow, wide, or neutral grip (using a V-bar). The hands can be placed on the bar with the palms facing towar

Lateral Raise to Shoulder Press with Resistance Band

The Lateral Raise to Shoulder Press with a resistance band is a dynamic exercise that trains your shoulders and arms in a unique way. This combination exercise not only increases your muscular strength but also improves your coordination and stability through the use of a resistance band. Execution

Lateral Raises

Lateral Raises are a fantastic exercise for strengthening and defining the shoulders. This exercise primarily targets the deltoid muscles, but also benefits overall upper-body strength and posture. Execution Begin standing with your feet shoulder-width apart, holding a dumbbell in each hand at y

Lateral Raises On Cable

Lateral Raises on Cable is an effective exercise for strengthening and shaping your shoulders. This exercise provides unique resistance through the use of the cable machine, creating constant tension on the muscles throughout the entire movement. Execution Set the cable machine to its lowest pos

Latissimus

This exercise is a fantastic way to strengthen and develop your back muscles, particularly the latissimus dorsi. The unique benefit of this exercise is that it not only strengthens your back but also contributes to better posture and shoulder stability. Execution Begin by setting the desired res

Leaning Dumbbell Lateral Raise

The Leaning Dumbbell Lateral Raise is an effective exercise for strengthening and defining the shoulder muscles. This variation offers a unique challenge through the angle of inclination, activating your muscles differently than traditional lateral raises. Execution Find a sturdy object, such as

Lever Barbell Upright Row (Plate Loaded)

The upright row is an exercise targeting all heads of the deltoid (shoulder muscle). Although it is primarily performed for the rear head of the shoulder, studies show that the middle and front heads also work about equally hard. Nevertheless, it is not strange to focus this exercise on the rear hea

Lever Extended-Arm Lateral Raise

Lateral raises (also called side raises) are primarily performed to place more emphasis on the middle head of the deltoid (shoulder muscle). In addition to the main shoulder muscle itself, various muscles around the shoulder joint are recruited to stabilize it. These include smaller stabilizing musc

Lever Front Pulldown

The Lever Front Pulldown is an effective exercise for strengthening your upper body, particularly the muscles of your back and shoulders. This exercise helps improve your posture and may contribute to better muscle definition. Execution: Find a pulldown machine and set the weight you want to use

Lever Lateral Raise

Lateral raises (also called side raises) are primarily performed to place more emphasis on the middle head of the deltoid (shoulder muscle). In addition to the deltoid itself, various muscles around the shoulder joint are recruited to stabilize it. These include smaller stabilizing muscles such as t

Lever Lateral Raise (Plate Loaded)

Lunges to Shoulder Press

The combination of lunges and shoulder presses is a dynamic exercise that challenges both your lower and upper body. This exercise not only improves your strength but also your balance and coordination, making it an excellent addition to your fitness routine. Execution Begin with your feet hip-w

Lying Dumbbell Lateral Raise

The Lying Dumbbell Lateral Raise is an effective exercise for strengthening and defining the shoulder muscles, particularly the deltoids. This exercise offers a unique way to isolate and train the shoulders without placing strain on the back or other muscle groups. Execution Lie on your side on

Lying Lateral Raises Bodyweight

Looking for an effective exercise to add to your workout that targets the muscles of your shoulders and upper back? Try bodyweight lying lateral raises. This exercise is unique because you perform it lying down, providing an isolated workout for the target areas without unnecessary strain on other p

Machine Lateral Raises

The machine lateral raise is an effective exercise for strengthening and defining the shoulder muscles, particularly the deltoids. This exercise provides a controlled movement, reducing the risk of injury and allowing you to focus fully on muscle contraction. Execution Sit on the machine with yo

Machine Rear Raise

The machine rear raise is an exercise targeting the posterior head of the deltoid (shoulder muscle). The middle head and, to a lesser extent, the anterior head also assist in this movement, but are activated less. Many other muscles assist in moving the elbows and shoulders backward. The latissimus

Medicine Ball Clean

The Medicine Ball Clean is a dynamic exercise that combines strength, speed, and coordination. It is a full-body exercise primarily focused on explosive power and improving your ability to move weight from the ground to overhead. Execution: Start with the medicine ball between your feet, which a

One Arm Cable Front Raise

The One Arm Cable Front Raise is an effective exercise for strengthening and toning your shoulders. This exercise offers a unique way to train each shoulder separately, which promotes balanced muscle development and reduces the risk of injury. Execution Stand facing the cable machine and grasp t