If you’re looking to build bigger, stronger shoulder muscles, chances are you’ll want to add the dumbbell shrug to your routine. This simple-sounding exercise mimics your movement if someone asks you a question and you’re unsure of the answer but with a dumbbell in each hand. It mainly targets the traps — the trapezius muscle that spans from the neck to the middle of your back, and across your shoulders.
As well as the trapezius muscle, you’re also working your rhomboids during this exercise, as well as working on your forearms and grip strength. If increasing your grip strength is your goal, this is a good exercise to add. Building stronger traps will help increase your strength during deadlifts, overhead presses, rows, and pull-ups.
