How to Do the Middle Back Shrug

Intermediate · Dumbbell · Targets Middle Back

Middle Back Shrug demonstration
💪 Middle Back🏋️ Dumbbell📊 Intermediate🏷️ Strength

How to perform it

  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.

Muscles worked

The Middle Back Shrug primarily targets your Middle Back. You'll need dumbbell.

Make it count toward your goal

Random sets rarely move the needle. In NYUS, the Middle Back Shrug slots into a plan built for your goal — sets, reps and progression auto-suggested, logged in two taps, and folded into a weekly review that adapts what comes next.

More Middle Back exercises

Train smarter