Barbell Shrug vs Barbell Upright Row

Maximizing Your Shoulder Workout Plan

Contents

Planfit users log Barbell Upright Row more often — 4,261 sessions vs 683. Compare Shoulder form, muscles worked, and when to use each.

Customize Your Shoulder Workout: Explore the Benefits of Barbell Shrug and Barbell Upright Row for Better Comparison.

Planfit Users' Choice about Barbell Shrug vs Barbell Upright Row : Which is Better?

Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Barbell Upright Row more often — 4,261 sessions compared to 683 for Barbell Shrug.

Popularity is not the whole answer. Barbell Shrug and Barbell Upright Row differ in the muscles they load, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.

How Barbell Shrug and Barbell Upright Row Differ

What differsBarbell ShrugBarbell Upright Row
Muscles workedtrapsside delts and traps
Difficulty5 of 54 of 5
Sessions logged by Planfit users683 sessions4,261 sessions

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How to Barbell Shrug

Barbell Shrug gif

Barbell Shrug muscles worked: Shoulder

Form

  1. 1. Please shrug your shoulders and lift the barbell.
  2. 2. Slowly return to the starting position.

Coach's Comment

  1. 1. When lowering the barbell, it should be done slowly rather than just dropping it.
  2. 2. Please make sure that the neck does not protrude excessively forward.

If you want to know a detailed guide to Barbell Shrug, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Barbell Shrug Guide page of our blog!

Do you want to know more about Barbell Shrug methods?Exercise Guide

How to Barbell Upright Row

Barbell Upright Row gif

Barbell Upright Row muscles worked: Shoulder

Form

  1. 1. Please lift the barbell to shoulder height while keeping it close to your body.
  2. 2. Slowly return to the starting position.

Coach's Comment

  1. Since this exercise can put strain on the shoulders, please substitute it with another exercise if you hear any sounds or feel pain in your shoulders.

If you want to know a detailed guide to Barbell Upright Row, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Barbell Upright Row Guide page of our blog!

Do you want to know more about Barbell Upright Row methods?Exercise Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for Shoulder, Barbell Shrug or Barbell Upright Row?

Planfit users log Barbell Upright Row more often — 4,261 sessions against 683 for Barbell Shrug. Both train Shoulder, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.

Do Barbell Shrug and Barbell Upright Row work the same muscles?

Not quite. Barbell Shrug loads traps, and Barbell Upright Row loads side delts and traps.

What equipment do Barbell Shrug and Barbell Upright Row need?

Barbell Shrug needs a barbell, and Barbell Upright Row needs a barbell.

Which is easier to start with?

Barbell Upright Row is the easier place to start. Move to Barbell Shrug once your form holds up.

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