Barbell Shrug vs Behind Neck Press

Maximizing Your Shoulder Workout Plan

Contents

Barbell Shrug and Behind Neck Press are close in use — 683 vs 466 sessions logged. What separates them is Shoulder loading and form.

Customize Your Shoulder Workout: Explore the Benefits of Barbell Shrug and Behind Neck Press for Better Comparison.

Planfit Users' Choice about Barbell Shrug vs Behind Neck Press : Which is Better?

Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Barbell Shrug more often — 683 sessions compared to 466 for Behind Neck Press.

Popularity is not the whole answer. Barbell Shrug and Behind Neck Press 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 Behind Neck Press Differ

What differsBarbell ShrugBehind Neck Press
Muscles workedtrapsfront delts, side delts, and triceps
Difficulty5 of 55 of 5
Sessions logged by Planfit users683 sessions466 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 Behind Neck Press

Behind Neck Press gif

Behind Neck Press muscles worked: Shoulder

Form

  1. 1. Please lift the barbell above your head.
  2. 2. Slowly return to the starting position.

Coach's Comment

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

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

Do you want to know more about Behind Neck Press methods?Exercise Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for Shoulder, Barbell Shrug or Behind Neck Press?

Neither is clearly ahead — Planfit users log both at a similar rate. They both train Shoulder, so the choice comes down to the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.

Do Barbell Shrug and Behind Neck Press work the same muscles?

Not quite. Barbell Shrug loads traps, and Behind Neck Press loads front delts, side delts, and triceps.

What equipment do Barbell Shrug and Behind Neck Press need?

Barbell Shrug needs a barbell, and Behind Neck Press needs a barbell.

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