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How to Do Middle Back Shrug — Form, Muscles & Tips

Learn how to do the Middle Back Shrug: step-by-step form, muscles worked, dumbbell setup, and common mistakes. Free workout tracker included.

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How to perform this exercise

  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.