Upper back exercises

Dumbbell Incline Middle Back Shrug

Also known as: Shrug dorsal sur banc incliné avec haltères · Συσπάσεις ωμοπλατών σε κεκλιμένο πάγκο με αλτήρες · Middle Back Shrug · prone scapular retraction

Primary
Upper back
Equipment
Dumbbell
Level
Intermediate
Type
Isolation
Force
Pull
Suggested rest
1 min

How to do the Dumbbell Incline Middle Back Shrug

  1. Lie facedown on an incline bench while holding a dumbbell in each hand. Your arms should be fully extended hanging down and pointing towards the floor. The palms of your hands should be facing each other. This will be your starting position.

  2. As you exhale, squeeze your shoulder blades together and hold the contraction for a full second. Tip: This movement is just like the reverse action of a hug, or trying to perform rear laterals as if you had no arms.

  3. As you inhale go back to the starting position.

  4. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

Sets and reps

GoalSetsRepsRest
Muscle growth2–410–151 min
Muscular endurance2–315–2545 s

When you hit the top of the rep range on every set, add 4 kg (10 lb) next session and work back up.

Starting points from training research. Stop each set 1–3 reps short of failure.

Muscles worked

Primary

Upper back

Rhomboids, mid traps and rear delts hold your shoulder blades in place. Rows, face pulls and reverse flyes build thickness and healthier shoulders.

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Dumbbell upper back exercises