Barbell Shrug vs Scapular Pull-Up

Stand up straight with your feet at shoulder width as you hold a barbell with both hands in front of you using a pronated grip (palms facing the thighs). Tip: Your hands should be a little wider than shoulder width apart. You can use wrist wraps for this exercise for a better grip. This will be your starting position.

Raise your shoulders up as far as you can go as you breathe out and hold the contraction for a second. Tip: Refrain from trying to lift the barbell by using your biceps.

Slowly return to the starting position as you breathe in.

Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

Take a pronated grip on a pull-up bar.

From a hanging position, raise yourself a few inches without using your arms. Do this by depressing your shoulder girdle in a reverse shrugging motion.

Pause at the completion of the movement, and then slowly return to the starting position before performing more repetitions.