shrugs question

dnich · 06-07-2007, 04:18 AM

Is the smith machine ok for shrugs or are dumbbell and barbells better?

Samo · 06-07-2007, 04:35 AM

Dumbells and Barbells all the way, 'keep away from the Smith machine!'

Free weights are always better than any machine, IMO.........Peace.

dnich · 06-07-2007, 05:17 AM

Ok thanks i appreciate it alot. Have a good day

**Gazhole** · 06-07-2007, 06:12 AM

I wouldnt over-do any type of shrugs, but the only thing the Smith is good for is as a coat rack or Supine Rows, lol.

Stick with the free-weights, Samo = 100% correct.

Gordo · 06-07-2007, 08:33 AM

Shrug Science

MeatZatk · 06-07-2007, 09:44 AM

I use a hammerstrength shrug machine at my gym. I think it works great, but if it's being used I do DB shrugs.

DontStop · 06-07-2007, 09:48 AM

I don't like using the smith machine because it is guided. It's ok as far as proper form goes...but I'd rather use a barbell or dumbell. There's none I really prefer. I switch it up between barbell and dumbell

**Prince** · 06-07-2007, 09:50 AM

I don't do shrugs anymore but when I did do them I preferred to use a barbell.

soxmuscle · 06-07-2007, 10:20 AM

I prefer barbell shrugs, even over dumbells. I'll change it up every now and then but nothing beats barbell shrugs for my traps.

AKIRA · 06-07-2007, 10:20 AM

Honestly, doing shrugs on the smith machine isnt that bad. The movement is up and down, plus its a small movement at that.

KelJu · 06-07-2007, 01:43 PM

I do barbell shrugs on the squat rack. My traps exploded when I stopped doing dumbbell shrugs, and switched to barbell. I also use straps for shrugs so I can focus on working my traps rather than my grip. For many people, their traps are just going to be stronger than their hands, so it is stupid to not to, in my opinion.

AKIRA · 06-07-2007, 03:02 PM

Last time I did DB shrugs, I couldnt go heavy cuz of the fatigue I had already gotten from my workout, but I also didnt use straps to give myself a lil bit of grip strength work.

Id like to use straps so I can shrug heavier weight, but with the all the other lifts I do, I wonder if its going to make that much of a difference.

I guess the only sure way around it is to cycle intensity. One week 10-12 reps. Another week, 8-10 reps.

ben16v · 06-07-2007, 04:50 PM

when doing barbell shrugs do you think bar behind or bar in front is best??

KelJu · 06-07-2007, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ben16v

when doing barbell shrugs do you think bar behind or bar in front is best??

Bar in front. I can't think of a reason to hold the par behind your back other than to prevent the bar from bumping into your balls when you come down with the bar.

Witchblade · 06-08-2007, 01:07 PM

I've never done traditional shrugs before but I like overhead shrugs and lying shrugs.

AKIRA · 06-08-2007, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KelJu

Bar in front. I can't think of a reason to hold the par behind your back other than to prevent the bar from bumping into your balls when you come down with the bar.

Thats a good enough reason for me!

Plus, traps are a back muscle...so why not put the weight in the back?

DOMS · 06-08-2007, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AKIRA

Plus, traps are a back muscle...so why not put the weight in the back?

Because it's not safe? Similar to Behind The Neck Presses.

AKIRA · 06-08-2007, 02:04 PM

Never heard of a behind the neck shrug being not safe. The movement is so small. Id register the reason to be too much weight before the position.

BoneCrusher · 06-08-2007, 02:19 PM

The hazards of the smith are well known. Why not just stick to what works? DB's give more options for how to do a shrug anyway imho.

JonnyStead · 06-10-2007, 03:31 AM

Personally I shrug with a bar, in front. Its worked for me.

Double D · 06-12-2007, 06:15 PM

I use a smith machine for mine from time to time. Its not like the machine can mess with form. Like A said its straight up and down.

AKIRA · 06-12-2007, 07:26 PM

Theres just not enough movement in the shrug itself to put Smith in the shitty category on this one. Kinda sad to only give credit to the Smith on an exercise like this, but...

My eternal suggestion would be to do DB shrugs, BB shrugs, Hise Shrugs...and if theyre all taken up, the Smith Machine.

Hammer Strength makes a machine for them...but I always hated it. I see assholes using the Ground Based Squat Machine for shrugs all the time instead of for legs. Eh..

Double D · 06-12-2007, 07:28 PM

I normally dont do shrugs unless my traps seem like they are lagging and as of late they are lagging big time! So yeah I have been doing them on the smith.

AKIRA · 06-12-2007, 07:36 PM

hah! I did them for 2-3 sets of only 10 reps (120lb DBs) and they are actually sore today!

Double D · 06-12-2007, 07:36 PM

Yep....I did em yesterday and I am sore as shit today.....but I also did heavy ass hypers as well.

Samo · 06-13-2007, 01:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Witchblade

I've never done traditional shrugs before but I like overhead shrugs and lying shrugs.

Never thought of 'overhead' shrugs before.......Are they any good?

22inchpump · 06-13-2007, 09:06 AM

A nice little combo is shrugs behind the back on a smith , followed immediatly with seated rows , but instead of pulling to your stomach, pull to your upper chest and squeeze your .ur upper back/traps super hard.

Andy_Massaro · 06-13-2007, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 19inchpump

A nice little combo is shrugs behind the back on a smith , followed immediatly with seated rows , but instead of pulling to your stomach, pull to your upper chest and squeeze your .ur upper back/traps super hard.

I've tried this before and used a rope pulley and it was a really good workout

06-07-2007, 04:18 AM	#1
dnich Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 28	shrugs question Is the smith machine ok for shrugs or are dumbbell and barbells better?
dnich Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 28

06-07-2007, 05:17 AM	#3
dnich Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 28	Ok thanks i appreciate it alot. Have a good day
dnich Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 28

06-07-2007, 08:33 AM	#5
Gordo Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: O' Canada...stuck in the middle of you Posts: 1,036 Photos: 8	Shrug Science
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06-07-2007, 09:44 AM	#6
MeatZatk Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Tacoma, WA Posts: 943 Photos: 5	I use a hammerstrength shrug machine at my gym. I think it works great, but if it's being used I do DB shrugs.
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06-07-2007, 09:48 AM	#7
DontStop pappy Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Edmonton Posts: 2,592 Blog Entries: 1 Photos: 33	I don't like using the smith machine because it is guided. It's ok as far as proper form goes...but I'd rather use a barbell or dumbell. There's none I really prefer. I switch it up between barbell and dumbell
	You know, the Nazis had pieces of flair that they made the Jews wear.

06-07-2007, 04:35 AM	#2
Samo lift,eat,rest,lift!!! Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 117	Dumbells and Barbells all the way, 'keep away from the Smith machine!' Free weights are always better than any machine, IMO.........Peace.

06-07-2007, 09:50 AM	#8
Prince the one & only Administrator Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Colorado Posts: 33,520 Blog Entries: 25 Photos: 313	I don't do shrugs anymore but when I did do them I preferred to use a barbell.
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06-07-2007, 10:20 AM	#9
soxmuscle do work son Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: I will eat your face Posts: 8,123 Photos: 10	I prefer barbell shrugs, even over dumbells. I'll change it up every now and then but nothing beats barbell shrugs for my traps.
	Age: 20 \| Height: 5'7" \| Weight: 150 lbs \| Penis: 12 inches

06-07-2007, 10:20 AM	#10
AKIRA I am Rollo Tomassee.. Elite Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Outside the box Posts: 7,652 Photos: 3	Honestly, doing shrugs on the smith machine isnt that bad. The movement is up and down, plus its a small movement at that.
	6' 209lbs (8/16) Bench 360 (11/29) Weighted Pullups 80lbs 3x3 (3/19) Squat 370 Deadlift after herniation 385lbs 3x3 (3/17) NASM certified 2/06 Journal

06-07-2007, 03:02 PM	#12
AKIRA I am Rollo Tomassee.. Elite Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Outside the box Posts: 7,652 Photos: 3	Last time I did DB shrugs, I couldnt go heavy cuz of the fatigue I had already gotten from my workout, but I also didnt use straps to give myself a lil bit of grip strength work. Id like to use straps so I can shrug heavier weight, but with the all the other lifts I do, I wonder if its going to make that much of a difference. I guess the only sure way around it is to cycle intensity. One week 10-12 reps. Another week, 8-10 reps.
	6' 209lbs (8/16) Bench 360 (11/29) Weighted Pullups 80lbs 3x3 (3/19) Squat 370 Deadlift after herniation 385lbs 3x3 (3/17) NASM certified 2/06 Journal

06-07-2007, 04:50 PM	#13
ben16v Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 10	when doing barbell shrugs do you think bar behind or bar in front is best??
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06-08-2007, 01:07 PM	#15
Witchblade Succinct Elite Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Holland Posts: 4,279 Photos: 2	I've never done traditional shrugs before but I like overhead shrugs and lying shrugs.
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06-08-2007, 02:04 PM	#18
AKIRA I am Rollo Tomassee.. Elite Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Outside the box Posts: 7,652 Photos: 3	Never heard of a behind the neck shrug being not safe. The movement is so small. Id register the reason to be too much weight before the position.
	6' 209lbs (8/16) Bench 360 (11/29) Weighted Pullups 80lbs 3x3 (3/19) Squat 370 Deadlift after herniation 385lbs 3x3 (3/17) NASM certified 2/06 Journal

06-08-2007, 02:19 PM	#19
BoneCrusher Lift or Die Elite Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Austin Texas Posts: 8,492	The hazards of the smith are well known. Why not just stick to what works? DB's give more options for how to do a shrug anyway imho.

06-10-2007, 03:31 AM	#20
JonnyStead Good old English grit Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: England Posts: 387 Photos: 4	Personally I shrug with a bar, in front. Its worked for me.
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06-12-2007, 06:15 PM	#21
Double D Senior Member Elite Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Illinois Posts: 9,930	I use a smith machine for mine from time to time. Its not like the machine can mess with form. Like A said its straight up and down.

06-12-2007, 07:26 PM	#22
AKIRA I am Rollo Tomassee.. Elite Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Outside the box Posts: 7,652 Photos: 3	Theres just not enough movement in the shrug itself to put Smith in the shitty category on this one. Kinda sad to only give credit to the Smith on an exercise like this, but... My eternal suggestion would be to do DB shrugs, BB shrugs, Hise Shrugs...and if theyre all taken up, the Smith Machine. Hammer Strength makes a machine for them...but I always hated it. I see assholes using the Ground Based Squat Machine for shrugs all the time instead of for legs. Eh..
	6' 209lbs (8/16) Bench 360 (11/29) Weighted Pullups 80lbs 3x3 (3/19) Squat 370 Deadlift after herniation 385lbs 3x3 (3/17) NASM certified 2/06 Journal

06-12-2007, 07:28 PM	#23
Double D Senior Member Elite Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Illinois Posts: 9,930	I normally dont do shrugs unless my traps seem like they are lagging and as of late they are lagging big time! So yeah I have been doing them on the smith.

06-12-2007, 07:36 PM	#24
AKIRA I am Rollo Tomassee.. Elite Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Outside the box Posts: 7,652 Photos: 3	hah! I did them for 2-3 sets of only 10 reps (120lb DBs) and they are actually sore today!
	6' 209lbs (8/16) Bench 360 (11/29) Weighted Pullups 80lbs 3x3 (3/19) Squat 370 Deadlift after herniation 385lbs 3x3 (3/17) NASM certified 2/06 Journal

06-13-2007, 09:06 AM	#27
22inchpump Playboy Millionaire Elite Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: In my girlfriend. Posts: 646 Photos: 40	A nice little combo is shrugs behind the back on a smith , followed immediatly with seated rows , but instead of pulling to your stomach, pull to your upper chest and squeeze your .ur upper back/traps super hard.
	Height: 6 ft. Weight: 260 ish. Arms: 21.5" ("shooting" for 22's...) Chest: 52 inches Waist: 34 inches Good times.