TRAPS ULTIMATE GUIDE
Trapezius is considered an endurance muscle as it holds your arms the whole day plus whatever you carry on thus it is a stubborn muscle
Just as the Calf with that said there is ways to overcome that and push it to grow
What are the traps (Trapezius)?
The trapezius is a large paired surface muscle that extends longitudinally from the occipital bone to the lower thoracic vertebrae of the spine and laterally to the spine of the scapula. It moves the scapula and supports the arm. (WIKIPEDIA)
SEBASTIAN KAULITZKI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARYGETTY IMAGES
Why are my traps not growing?
In order to get to the bottom of that question you need first to identify what are you doing in the gym to grow the traps
As we mentioned it is a stubborn muscle that means normal routine of workout will do just nothing so let us first identify the exercises then we go to the tips
Johnny Jackson most known for his best traps in bodybuilding
- TRAPS WORKOUT:
Exercise 2: The High Pull
Grab the bar preferably EZ and grip on the shoulder width try to keep a straight back and pull the weight till reach below your chin on a circular motion as below
Exercise 2: The Shrug
You can perform that exercise using the bar, the dumbbell or smith machine or the traps machine, make sure you do 10-12 rep till failure so picking the weight that will strain the traps completely, when you raise the weight make sure to squeeze the muscle for 2 seconds then release slowly till stretch
That exercise will focus on the outer part of the traps making the
Exercise 3: Rear Shrugs
Using barbell or smith and pulling up will utilize the whole trapezius muscle but will focus on the lower and middle parts
Try to squeeze on top for 2 seconds and then go down slowly
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Exercise 4: Low-Cable Face Pull
Using a rope and to attach it on the cable machine upper part and stand two feet away then pull to your forehead squeeze 2 seconds then release slowly
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Exercise 5: Bent over lateral raise
That exercise is combines and not isolated as it also uses rear delts so you can still use it for both muscles
So, hold the dumbbells and slight bent your knees and back arched forward then extend arms to sides and elbows slightly bent
Bending elbows and knees will protect these joints during exercise and focus the weights directly to the muscle
You can also use a bench and put your forehead for support and to release stress from lower back
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So, performing these exercises still won’t make a transformation for your traps because just doing a routine gym exercise is not enough
- TIPS:
As we mentioned traps is a stubborn muscle so we need extra effort to push these muscles to failure:
- Super sets
- Drop sets
- Giant set
1. Super sets:
Combining any of the above exercises together will just add lots of stress on the traps
2. Drop sets:
On every last set of the exercise keep dropping the weights till failure
3. Giant sets:
That is the extreme strain you can reach and also transform that stubborn traps, with combining all three or four exercises in one go will push the limit of the traps try it yourself
OTHER TIPS:
- Train the traps with shoulder and another day
- Do two exercises post back workout
FAQs
Is 1 exercise enough for traps?
One exercise can be effective for targeting the trapezius muscles, but incorporating a variety of exercises ensures more comprehensive development and strength gains. For optimal results, it’s recommended to include different movements that work the traps from various angles.
How do I get massive traps?
To achieve massive traps, focus on heavy compound exercises like deadlifts, shrugs, and farmer’s walks, combined with consistent progressive overload and proper nutrition. Additionally, incorporate isolation exercises like dumbbell or cable shrugs to specifically target trap development.
Why are some peoples traps so big?
Some people have naturally larger traps due to genetic factors that influence muscle size and shape. Additionally, dedicated and consistent training specifically targeting the trapezius muscles can significantly increase their size.