Bull-headed? (part 2 of 2)


© Matt Danielson

Ok, so now you got the classic shrug straight. Great! However, contrary to popular belief, shrugs are not the one and only way to a bull-neck. It's an excellent exercise - I say use it 4 times out of 5 when you train neck - but it's a mistake to think that you can maximize your potential using only shrugs. It's like relying solely on bicep curls to get thick arms. Sure, you've got a great start, but you're not really there until you throw in some pushdowns, skull-crushers, hammer curls and forearm rolls.

So, for the other components there's a slight problem: I don't think there's any generally assigned names, not the way a Deadlift or a Bench press is crystal clear. If you think you've got a better name for the exercises described below, I suggest that you write it down neatly on a list, categorize it alphabetically, and hand it to someone who cares about neat lists rather than getting a brutal physique.

Rear neck curls
Some better gyms actually have a special machine for the neck. This is great, but if your gym doesn't have one - no problem, you can do it using a smith-machine instead (which practically all gyms have). The neck machine usually looks like a chair from the Spanish Inquisition. And the execution is simple: Sit down with the back of your head against the pad (make sure to get the right height) and keep your body straight and stationary while bobbing your head back and forth like one of those plastic birds you see in gift-stores. When using a Smith-machine, it's slightly more complicated: Roll up a towel so that is fits steadily between the back of your head and the bar. Kneel on a bench while supporting your upper body with both arms. Have your training partner unlock the bar (don't even THINK of doing this exercise without a partner!!) and gently fit the bar against the towel. Now, keeping your body still, bob your head like a bird who's tipped forward 90 degrees.
Now, remember the speech about safety I gave last week? If not, make sure to read it again. This is a prime example of too much weight having potential to giving you plenty of trouble. Go light, preferably in the 12-15 reps range, minimum. Put your efforts into getting the movement safe. The effectiveness comes with safety.

Neck curls
Lie down on your back on a bench with your head and neck out from the edge of the bench. Fold a small towel to cover your forehead. Grab a small weight plate and hold it against your forehead. Keeping your body firmly against the bench (abs tense, knees bent), bob your head. To get the right feel of the exercise, try looking at the floor in the far end of the gym at the bottom, and your own toes at the top. As with all neck exercises, focus is paramount. Consciously stretch the muscles at the bottom, and squeeze them all the way to the top. Be attentive to any feelings of pulling or crunching, or light, stinging joint pain.

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