Trap eyes with the “traps”

THE TRAPEZIUS MUSCLES (“TRAPS”) are the large diamond-shaped muscles that run between the back of the shoulders and reach up to the neck. They are two of the largest and most important muscles in the upper body.

According to fitness experts at Men’s Fitness, developing these muscles requires you to do plenty of pull-ups and cable rows, and raise your shoulder girdle up in shrugs. Performing front and rear barbell lifts will greatly increase the appearance of the shoulders too, thus balancing them with your traps. Side lats and front lats also help in the process, provided that you use the appropriate weight of dumbbells. However, the best exercise to achieve your goal is the lateral pull down (both rear and front), where you lift weights by holding a horizontally positioned steel handle that is connected with heavy plates. Confused? Consult your fitness instructor.


“When properly developed, the 'traps' form the immensely imposing ‘yoke’-the appearance of a thick rim of muscle that erupts up from your shoulders and supports the neck-long, considered the truest sign of a serious lifter and all-around strong guy,” said fitness experts.

So, taking your shirt off in the gym or in the beach will set you apart from men with only big pecs and arms. The appearance of awesome set of traps will make you look bigger over-all though other muscles are lagging.