Back · Dumbbell
Dumbbell Incline Shrug
How to do the dumbbell incline shrug, the muscles it works, and the mistakes to avoid. Pulled straight from the Kovo app's exercise library.
- Equipment
- Dumbbell
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Logged as
- Weighted reps
- Movement
- Extension
- Mechanic
- Isolation
How to do it
Set an incline bench to 30 to 45 degrees and lie face down with your chest supported and a dumbbell hanging in each hand, arms straight. Shrug your shoulders up and back toward the ceiling as high as you can, squeeze at the top, then lower slowly.
- 1Feel your upper traps lift your shoulders toward your ears
- 2Keep your arms straight and relaxed so the traps do the work
- 3Hold the top squeeze briefly before lowering
Common mistakes
- Do not roll your shoulders; shrug straight up and down
- Avoid bending your elbows or using momentum
- Do not let your chest peel off the bench to cheat the lift
Muscles worked
The dumbbell incline shrug mainly works the upper traps, with the mid traps assisting.
- Upper TrapsPrimary
- Mid TrapsSupport
- ForearmsMinor
- Lower TrapsMinor
- Rear DeltsMinor
Kovo programs the dumbbell incline shrug for you and tracks it every session.
We build your whole program, drop the right lifts into each workout, and adjust your weights as you get stronger. Free on iOS and Android.
More back exercises
- How to do the archer pull-up
- How to do the resistance band assisted pull-up
- How to do the machine assisted pull-up
- How to do the back extension bench back extension
- How to do the machine back extension
- How to do the back lever
Last reviewed June 2026.