Barbell Back Wide Shrug
Expert Advice
Keep your neck neutral and avoid rolling your shoulders, which can put undue stress on the shoulder joint.
How-to-do Steps
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, holding a barbell in front of you with an overhand grip.
- Lift your shoulders straight up towards your ears, keeping your arms straight.
- Pause at the top of the movement, then slowly lower the shoulders back down.
- Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Track Barbell Back Wide Shrug in FitAI
Log your sets, reps, and weights automatically. Get AI-powered progressive overload recommendations and form feedback — personalized to your training history.
Muscles Worked
Barbell Back Wide Shrug primarily targets the Traps, with Strength mechanics using Barbell. Understanding muscle activation patterns helps you focus on proper engagement and maximize training effectiveness.
Primary

Traps100%
Equipment
Barbell

Exercise Type
Strength
Sets & Reps Guidance
Beginner3 x 10-12
Intermediate4 x 8-10
Advanced4 x 6-8
Frequently Asked Questions
What muscles does Barbell Back Wide Shrug work?
Barbell Back Wide Shrug primarily targets the Traps. It is classified as a Strength exercise performed with Barbell.
How many sets and reps should I do for Barbell Back Wide Shrug?
For beginners, start with 3 sets of 10-12. Intermediate lifters can do 4 sets of 8-10. Advanced athletes can push to 4 sets of 6-8. Adjust based on your goals and recovery capacity.
Is Barbell Back Wide Shrug suitable for beginners?
Barbell Back Wide Shrug is rated as intermediate difficulty. Beginners may want to start with lighter loads or simpler variations and progress to this exercise as their strength and coordination improve.