Appears in642 Workouts*

Bent-Over Shoulder Roll

The Bent-Over Shoulder Roll mainly works the traps and back. No equipment needed: it uses just your bodyweight.

Liney Bezuidenhout
Liney Bezuidenhout
@Liney Bezuidenhout

Bent-Over Shoulder Roll Muscles Worked

Primary

Mid Traps (trapezius, middle fibers); Rhomboids (Shoulder Blade) (rhomboids, major & minor)

Secondary

Lower Traps (trapezius, lower fibers)

How to do the Bent-Over Shoulder Roll

Setup

  • Stand with feet hip-width apart and knees slightly bent.

  • Hinge at your hips, keeping your back flat and nearly parallel to the floor.

  • Let your arms hang down straight from your shoulders, or place your hands on your chest to focus on the movement.

Movement

  • Start by pulling your shoulder blades together as if you are trying to squeeze a pencil between them.

  • Keep your spine neutral and avoid rounding your back.

  • Slowly return to the starting position by allowing your shoulder blades to spread apart again.

  • Continue this retraction movement in a controlled, rhythmic manner.

Bent-Over Shoulder Roll FAQs

What muscles does the Bent-Over Shoulder Roll work?

The Bent-Over Shoulder Roll mainly works the traps and back. The main muscles are the trapezius and rhomboids.

What equipment do you need for the Bent-Over Shoulder Roll?

None. The Bent-Over Shoulder Roll is a bodyweight exercise, so you can do it anywhere.

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