Bodybuilding Routines for the Neck: Train Your Lateral Flexors, Extensors and Traps

By: RicardodArgence Date: Sat, 5 Dec 2009 Time: 1:24 AM

We often overlook training this vital area for two main reasons. We either don't know how to do it, or we don't have the equipment to do so.

Lateral Flexors. The lateral flexors will tilt a persons head from right to left and is worked out in the same manor as the flexors. To start this, lie on a bench specifically on your side, then you will rest a towel on the side of your head while holding the weight in that place with your hand.

Just simply let your head tilt downwards, and then pull it back upwards as if you are trying to touch your ear to the shoulder that is off the bench. Again you must use several sets of 10-15 reps of moderate resistance before you go and switch to your other side to work out the opposite lateral flexor group.

Extensors. Extensors are pretty much like the flexor group in general and can be worked out by a headstrap or a machine. In using the head strap the usual way is to attach the end strap to and hook it onto a low pulley or some hang plates on the chain. Make sure to bend at the waist and place your hands above the knees on your quads.

Now you will focus more on tilting your head backwards as though you looking up. Another path to take would be to lie down on a bench with you head over the other end. Put the towel on the back of your head and put the weight on top of it.

While you are holding the weight there, you can let it start dropping slowly, then raise it while you are just bending the neck only. Having moderate resistance for many sets with 10-15 reps will be crucial as the other exercises would be as well.

Traps. The traps or trapezius muscles are part of the extensor group, so they'll get some work while doing the exercises mentioned under the extensor heading. However, they can be worked with some additional barbell exercises as most are aware.

For the most part, people will lump together basic barbell and dumbbell shrugs as the key motions for working out the traps. The dead life with the variations of it will undoubtedly work the traps very hard. Those who have a monstrous traps are the ones with the big pulls.

Even though the dead lift is usually in my routine, there are some lesser-performed lifts that will hammer out those traps hard. One of the most common lifts in this category would be the power clean and to some extent, also the squat clean. Since the arms are kept straight for as long as possible during the pull, the traps, hips and upper back will provide the power that is needed to accelerate the bar before the dipping under it to rack the lift.

The snatch also provides a massive amount of stimulation for the traps, primarily in the same way as the clean variations. The pull will have a hard "shrug" while the bar accelerates, just before dipping under it.

I generally do the power snatch, where you don't drop as low upon completion of the lift and the bar is locked out overhead while in what would be a 1/4 squat position. I don't see a reason to go into a complete squat snatch, which does allow the use of more weight due to the deep bottom position you attain to get under the bar. I feel that the power clean and power snatch force you to pull much harder, since you'll have less time to drop under the bar to rack it.

If you are a person who suffers from tightness cause by many long hours of sitting on your tailbone at some office. Just the stretching will help you live more comfortably overall. The power you will gain in your traps will help you in pulling and defiantly gives your body and very finished look to it.

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