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Exercise Comparison

Cable Shrugs vs Upright Row - With Bands

Cable Shrugs - starting position
Cable Shrugs - ending position
Cable Shrugs
beginner·Cable·isolation
Upright Row - With Bands - starting position
Upright Row - With Bands - ending position
Upright Row - With Bands
beginner·Bands·compound

Side-by-Side

Cable Shrugs
VS
Upright Row - With Bands
beginner
Level
beginner
Cable
Equipment
Bands
isolation
Mechanic
compound
pull
Force
pull
Strength
Category
Strength
traps
Primary
traps
None
Secondary
shoulders

Muscle Analysis

Shared

traps

Only in Upright Row - With Bands

shoulders

Instructions

Cable Shrugs

1

Grasp a cable bar attachment that is attached to a low pulley with a shoulder width or slightly wider overhand (palms facing down) grip.

2

Stand erect close to the pulley with your arms extended in front of you holding the bar. This will be your starting position.

3

Lift the bar by elevating the shoulders as high as possible as you exhale. Hold the contraction at the top for a second. Tip: The arms should remain extended at all times. Refrain from using the biceps to help lift the bar. Only the shoulders should be moving up and down.

4

Lower the bar back to the original position.

5

Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

Upright Row - With Bands

1

To begin, stand on an exercise band so that tension begins at arm's length. Grasp the handles using a pronated (palms facing your thighs) grip that is slightly less than shoulder width. The handles should be resting on top of your thighs. Your arms should be extended with a slight bend at the elbows and your back should be straight. This will be your starting position.

2

Use your side shoulders to lift the handles as you exhale. The handles should be close to the body as you move them up. Continue to lift the handles until they nearly touches your chin. Tip: Your elbows should drive the motion. As you lift the handles, your elbows should always be higher than your forearms. Also, keep your torso stationary and pause for a second at the top of the movement.

3

Lower the handles back down slowly to the starting position. Inhale as you perform this portion of the movement.

4

Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

Verdict

Both exercises target the traps. Cable Shrugs is a beginner exercise using cable, while Upright Row - With Bands is beginner and uses bands. Choose Cable Shrugs if you have access to cable, or Upright Row - With Bands if you prefer bands. Upright Row - With Bands is a compound movement working multiple joints, making it better for overall strength. Cable Shrugs isolates the target muscle for focused development.

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