Exercise guide
Cable Shrugs
Cable Shrugs train the traps using a straight bar attached to a low pulley. The shoulders rise toward the ears while the elbows remain extended. The cable provides resistance from the bottom of the movement and keeps the load in front of the body.
Training context
How are Cable Shrugs different?
Unlike a barbell shrug, the cable pulls slightly forward as well as downward. Standing close to the pulley helps keep the resistance path more vertical.
The movement uses a small range. Adding circles or rolling the shoulders does not improve the shrug and can make the path less consistent.
Technique overview
Raise and lower the shoulders vertically
Stand tall with the bar held in front of you and your arms extended. Lift both shoulders toward the ears without bending the elbows or leaning backward. Pause briefly, then lower under control until the traps are lengthened. Keep the head neutral and avoid rolling the shoulders forward or backward.
Treat this as an overview and use a range, pace, and setup you can control.