(Primary muscles: trapezius and anterior and medial heads of the deltoid)

Take a narrow over-grip (with approximately 4-6 inches between your index fingers) on the barbell handle. Stand straight with your feet shoulder width apart and the barbell resting against your upper thighs. Keeping the barbell close to your body and without shrugging your shoulders, slowly pull the barbell upward until the back of your fists approach the underside of your chin. When gripping the barbell, keep your elbows well above the level of your hands. At the top of the movement, rotate your shoulders to the rear and briefly press your shoulder blades together before slowly lowering your arms back along the same arc to the starting position.

Shaun Karp is a certified personal trainer in Vancouver. For further information call his office at 604-420-7800.