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Muscle Atlas

Trapezius

Trapezius

Upper, middle and lower trapezius contribute differently to scapular motion.

Shrugs, rows and overhead work create different emphases.

Open in interactive Muscle Atlas

Training-relevant regions

These labels help with training navigation. They are not presented as completely isolated muscles.

Exercises for this area

The selection is curated around training roles. It is not a ranking or a claim that one exercise is optimal for everyone.

Classic exercises

Overhead Press

Barbell

Established

Isolation exercises

Reverse Fly

Dumbbells

Well supported

Classic exercises

Pull-Up

Bodyweight · Pull-up bar

Established

Classic exercises

Chest-Supported Row

Dumbbells · Bench

Well supported

Classic exercises

Barbell Row

Barbell

Established

Isolation exercises

Shrugs

Dumbbells

Well supported

Classic exercises

Farmer Carry

Dumbbells

Well supported

Bodybuilding Classics

Upright Row

Barbell

Bodybuilding Classic

Classic exercises

Rear-Delt Row

Dumbbells

Well supported

Classic exercises

Face Pull

Cable

Well supported

Isolation exercises

Reverse Pec Deck

Machine

Well supported

Isolation exercises

Reverse Cable Fly

Cable

Well supported

Bodybuilding Classics

Wide-Grip Barbell Row

Barbell

Bodybuilding Classic

Classic exercises

Barbell Shrug

Barbell

Established

Classic exercises

Rack Pull

Barbell

Well supported

Isolation exercises

Cable Shrug

Cable

Well supported

Isolation exercises

Machine Shrug

Machine

Well supported

Bodybuilding Classics

Behind-the-Back Barbell Shrug

Barbell

Bodybuilding Classic

Isolation exercises

Scapular Row

Cable

Limited direct evidence

Classic exercises

Deadlift

Barbell

Established

Classic exercises

Wall Handstand Push-Up

Bodyweight

Well supported

Classic exercises

Inverted Row

Bodyweight · Pull-up bar

Established

Isolation exercises

Scapular Pull-Up

Bodyweight · Pull-up bar

Well supported

Bodybuilding Classics

Yates Row

Barbell

Bodybuilding Classic

Bodybuilding Classics

Kelso Shrug

Dumbbells · Bench

Bodybuilding Classic

Bodybuilding Classics

Prone Incline Rear-Delt Raise

Dumbbells · Bench

Bodybuilding Classic

Bodybuilding Classics

Kroc Row

Dumbbells

Bodybuilding Classic

Bodybuilding Classics

Clean and Press

Barbell

Bodybuilding Classic

Bodybuilding Classics

Dumbbell Six-Ways

Dumbbells

Bodybuilding Classic

Bodybuilding Classics

Bradford Press

Barbell

Bodybuilding Classic