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Lat Shoulder Stretch Into Shoulder Shrug
How to do the lat shoulder stretch into shoulder shrug, the muscles it works, and the mistakes to avoid. Pulled straight from the Kovo app's exercise library.
- Equipment
- Bodyweight
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Logged as
- time
- Movement
- Flexion
- Mechanic
- Isolation
How to do it
Stand or sit tall and reach one arm overhead, then lean gently to the opposite side to lengthen the lat and side of the torso. From there, transition into a controlled shoulder shrug, lifting both shoulders toward your ears and lowering them slowly. Flow between the lat lengthening and the shrug to mobilize the shoulder and upper back.
- 1A long stretch down the side of your back and ribcage as you lean away
- 2Your upper traps contract and release as you shrug up and down
- 3Smooth, controlled transitions rather than jerky movement
Common mistakes
- Do not bounce or force the side bend past a comfortable range
- Avoid hunching forward or collapsing your chest during the shrug
- Do not hold your breath; breathe through each phase
Muscles worked
The lat shoulder stretch into shoulder shrug mainly works the upper traps, with the lats, mid traps, and obliques assisting.
- Upper TrapsPrimary
- LatsSupport
- Mid TrapsSupport
- ObliquesSupport
- Lower TrapsMinor
- Side DeltsMinor
Kovo programs the lat shoulder stretch into shoulder 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.