Shoulder
Levator Scapulae exercises
Scapular elevation and neck side bending.
11
Exercises
2
Primary target
Related exercise guides
Home equipment tiers prioritize bodyweight, walls, chairs, towels, bands, and household loads before gym-only equipment.
Band-Resisted Neck Extension
Use a band for gentle resistance during neck extension. Use caution and small range.
Band-Resisted Neck Side Bend
Use a band for gentle resistance during neck side bending. Strengthens lateral neck muscles.
Barbell Shrug
You stand tall holding a barbell in front of your thighs with both hands, arms straight. You raise your shoulders straight up toward your ears. Then you lower them back down.
Cable Shrugs
You stand close to a low cable pulley, gripping a cable bar with both hands and your arms straight in front of you. You lift the bar by raising your shoulders as high as you can while breathing out. Then you lower them slowly.
Calf-Machine Shoulder Shrug
You stand under the shoulder pads of a calf-raise machine with your arms hanging at your sides. You lift your shoulders straight up toward your ears, then lower them.
Cervical Side Bend (Ear to Shoulder)
Gently tilt your head to bring ear toward shoulder. Improves lateral neck mobility without straining muscles.
Kettlebell Shrug, a Bell in Each Hand
You stand with feet shoulder-width apart, holding a kettlebell by its handle in each hand at your sides with straight arms. You lift your shoulders straight up toward your ears, then lower them.
Levator Scapulae Stretch (Smell Your Armpit)
Targets the levator scapulae muscle that lifts the shoulder blade and often gets tight with stress and desk work.
Shoulder Shrugs (Light)
Light shoulder shrugs to strengthen upper trapezius. Keep light to avoid excessive tension patterns.
Trap Bar Standing Shrug
You stand inside a loaded trap bar and grip its handles at your sides with straight arms. You lift your shoulders straight up toward your ears, then lower them.
Upper Trapezius Stretch
Gentle stretch for the upper trapezius muscle that runs from neck to shoulder. Helps relieve tension from desk work and stress.