Barbell Shrug vs Dumbbell Upright Row
Maximizing Your Shoulder Workout Plan
Contents
Dumbbell Upright Row is the easier place to start — difficulty 4 of 5 vs 5. Compare Shoulder form cues and when to progress.
Customize Your Shoulder Workout: Explore the Benefits of Barbell Shrug and Dumbbell Upright Row for Better Comparison.
Planfit Users' Choice about Barbell Shrug vs Dumbbell Upright Row : Which is Better?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Barbell Shrug more often — 683 sessions compared to 663 for Dumbbell Upright Row.
Popularity is not the whole answer. Barbell Shrug and Dumbbell 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 Dumbbell Upright Row Differ
| What differs | Barbell Shrug | Dumbbell Upright Row |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | traps | side delts and traps |
| Equipment | a barbell | a dumbbell |
| Difficulty | 5 of 5 | 4 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 683 sessions | 663 sessions |
How to Barbell Shrug
Barbell Shrug muscles worked: Shoulder
Form
- 1. Please shrug your shoulders and lift the barbell.
- 2. Slowly return to the starting position.
Coach's Comment
- 1. When lowering the barbell, it should be done slowly rather than just dropping it.
- 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!
How to Dumbbell Upright Row
Dumbbell Upright Row muscles worked: Shoulder
Form
- 1. Lift the dumbbell to shoulder height while keeping it close to your body.
- 2. Slowly return to the starting position.
Coach's Comment
- It's an exercise that can strain the shoulders, so 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 Dumbbell Upright Row, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Dumbbell Upright Row Guide page of our blog!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Shoulder, Barbell Shrug or Dumbbell Upright Row?
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 Dumbbell Upright Row work the same muscles?
Not quite. Barbell Shrug loads traps, and Dumbbell Upright Row loads side delts and traps.
What equipment do Barbell Shrug and Dumbbell Upright Row need?
Barbell Shrug needs a barbell, and Dumbbell Upright Row needs a dumbbell.
Which is easier to start with?
Dumbbell Upright Row is the easier place to start. Move to Barbell Shrug once your form holds up.
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