Scrawny neck.

clive · 11-01-2009, 03:20 PM

Something I've noticed in recent years is that my neck is starting to look a bit thin and scrawny.
Strangely I've built quite a lot of muscle and I'm not ageing too badly so against the rest of my physique it's looking a bit at odds and I'm starting to be a little conscious of it.
Unfortunately my father is the same, so I doubt if there is much I can do about it, any thoughts!

...Kennedy · 11-01-2009, 03:23 PM

Perhaps it is an optical illusion caused by the size of your biceps.

chodan9 · 11-01-2009, 03:24 PM

do you work that area much?

2nd_chance · 11-01-2009, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ...Kennedy

Perhaps it is an optical illusion caused by the size of your biceps.

^^^^^

This

JC480 · 11-01-2009, 03:49 PM

Clive

Looking at the pictures you posted of yourself, you've done a wonderful job of developing your physique.

If I had to guess at something...your trap development may be a little behind. Other people here know far more than I...but I'm wondering what sort of work you do in this area? Are you doing shrugs of any sort and, if so, what sorts of weight are you doing them at?

gbg · 11-01-2009, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ...Kennedy

Perhaps it is an optical illusion caused by the size of your biceps.

I lol'd

Quote:

Originally Posted by JC480

Clive

Looking at the pictures you posted of yourself, you've done a wonderful job of developing your physique.

If I had to guess at something...your trap development may be a little behind. Other people here know far more than I...but I'm wondering what sort of work you do in this area? Are you doing shrugs of any sort and, if so, what sorts of weight are you doing them at?

I agree your all biceps, work on your traps both upper and lower.

*STEVE* · 11-01-2009, 04:33 PM

In b4 cli ..... aww damn it !!!

gun-G · 11-01-2009, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *STEVE*

In b4 cli ..... aww damn it !!!

LOL What the fruck did clive do to deserve this reputation?? LOL again
Forget it.. i don't wanna know..
Clive: reps to you for being a good sport, if not a pencil necked geeky one
MULLY

(WOW...DIDN"T KNOW THERE WAS AN ACTUAL REAL LIFE CLIVE..WOW)

clive · 11-02-2009, 01:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JC480

Clive

Looking at the pictures you posted of yourself, you've done a wonderful job of developing your physique.

If I had to guess at something...your trap development may be a little behind. Other people here know far more than I...but I'm wondering what sort of work you do in this area? Are you doing shrugs of any sort and, if so, what sorts of weight are you doing them at?

I have attempted shrugs in the past but lost interest when it made no difference, perhaps I should have another go.
My arms are quite a bit thicker than my neck now so it can look a little strange, when I was smaller it didn't look so bad, It's like everything has grown except my neck.
Someone mentioned upper and lower traps, what's the difference?
I thought traps were traps!

Karl_Hungus · 11-02-2009, 03:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clive

Someone mentioned upper and lower traps, what's the difference?
I thought traps were traps!

Traps are a big muscle that run all the way from your neck down the middle of your back. They aren't just the little parts you see going from your shoulder to your neck. I agree with some of the other advice given. Shrugs, BB rows, and lots of upper back work will help with this...but to some degree, it is genetic, and so you may not end up with a super thick neck.

gbg · 11-02-2009, 03:36 AM

Outlined in green

The reason I said lower is because many people forget about it and over train the upper traps creating an imbalance which can lead to postural problems down the road.

induced_drag · 11-02-2009, 09:06 AM

Great development and congrats. I am more of a fan of compound instead of isolation.

Nothing give a person that 'thick' look like deadlifting heavy. It really hits all areas. (Also not as boring as shrugs

)

Also clean and presses can really hit them quite well but I always have trouble finding a place to put them in my routine.

Tyler_Durdin · 11-02-2009, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clive

Something I've noticed in recent years is that my neck is starting to look a bit thin and scrawny.
Strangely I've built quite a lot of muscle and I'm not ageing too badly so against the rest of my physique it's looking a bit at odds and I'm starting to be a little conscious of it.
Unfortunately my father is the same, so I doubt if there is much I can do about it, any thoughts!

have you tried neck bridges those really thicken out the neck as do neck ups basically you put a weight plate on your forehead lean your neck off the edge of the bench and contract your neck all the way up and down

Tyler_Durdin · 11-02-2009, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gbg

Outlined in green

The reason I said lower is because many people forget about it and over train the upper traps creating an imbalance which can lead to postural problems down the road.

what works the lower traps? bb rows

clive · 11-02-2009, 02:58 PM

Thanks for the input folks!
I've got a feeling I'll have a hard time getting a thicker neck, but I'm going to look into some exercises.
My neck is only 15 inches and if I could add an inch on that I would be very happy,
It is genetic, I know quite a few of guys I work with that have thick necks and all of them have never worked out their lives, Crazy!

**Arlecchino** · 11-02-2009, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyler_Durdin

what works the lower traps? bb rows

OL'ing, DB rows more than bb rows, Shrugs done on chest supported t-bar row.

Kurtbeals · 11-02-2009, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clive

Thanks for the input folks!
I've got a feeling I'll have a hard time getting a thicker neck, but I'm going to look into some exercises.
My neck is only 15 inches and if I could add an inch on that I would be very happy,
It is genetic, I know quite a few of guys I work with that have thick necks and all of them have never worked out their lives, Crazy!

I am in the same boat with neck. I feel much of bodybuilding relies on what dad and mom gave ya.
You are right about neck. Just like calves. I've known guys who have never worked out and have large calves and necks. I've also know friends who've competed and have 'relatively' small neck and calves no matter how hard they trained them. I have extremely "strong" calves but they don't grow but I don't care either. Figure that one out!
I guess it's all up to each person's goals. Good Luck.

billybigbolocks · 11-02-2009, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clive

Something I've noticed in recent years is that my neck is starting to look a bit thin and scrawny.
Strangely I've built quite a lot of muscle and I'm not ageing too badly so against the rest of my physique it's looking a bit at odds and I'm starting to be a little conscious of it.
Unfortunately my father is the same, so I doubt if there is much I can do about it, any thoughts!

Here's one which really works, I'm sure it has a name but I don't know it. But I do know how to do it!

One dumb-bell in each hand, weight will be light, probably 15 or 20lbs each.
Hands at your sides, palms facing backwards.
Keeping arms straight, raise your arms, (don't lock your elbows, it places too much stress).

Raising them straight out in front of you,
go up until your hand is higher than your head by about 6 inches.
Remember arms almost straight, you are pivoting from the shoulder.
Come back down to start position, controlling speed; as always.

I alternate between one arm at a time, and both arms together.

Best of luck

JC480 · 11-02-2009, 06:36 PM

Clive

As an aside, I'm not going to tell you how to lift weights....obviously you know how to do it and get results.

You mentioned that you dropped shrugs as they didn't yield benefits etc.

I have no idea what your routine was...but what worked for me was getting over 6 45s. I use a hammer strength shrugger. After about a month of 300+ lb shrugs (I pyramid up) and working in 3 sets of lighter seated back shrugs I've noticed both growth and definition in my traps.

Nice thing about the traps is that area tends to have little in the way of fat deposition which makes for easy monitoring of gains.

I also found that, as I was working my weight up over time...if I used too large of an increment my neck did not like that the next day : )

Good luck, mate!

IronCharles · 11-02-2009, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kurtbeals

I am in the same boat with neck.

Your neck doesn't look that small! In fact, I can't even see it!

Quote:

Originally Posted by billybigbolocks

....One dumb-bell in each hand, weight will be light, probably 15 or 20lbs each.
Hands at your sides, palms facing backwards.
Keeping arms straight, raise your arms....

Is it hard to hold on to the dumbbells with those nails? Looks like you might cut yourself!

billybigbolocks · 11-02-2009, 09:26 PM

Is it hard to hold on to the dumbbells with those nails? Looks like you might cut yourself![/QUOTE]

LOL

dekere · 11-02-2009, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tyler_durdin

have you tried neck bridges those really thicken out the neck as do neck ups basically you put a weight plate on your forehead lean your neck off the edge of the bench and contract your neck all the way up and down

that can't be good for your neck and spine?!?!

IronCharles · 11-02-2009, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clive

Thanks for the input folks!
I've got a feeling I'll have a hard time getting a thicker neck, but I'm going to look into some exercises.
My neck is only 15 inches and if I could add an inch on that I would be very happy,
It is genetic, I know quite a few of guys I work with that have thick necks and all of them have never worked out their lives, Crazy!

Clive, I know you've mentioned that you work out at home. Here's a great demonstration of some well performed dumbell shrugs, that you can probably do with what you have in your gym:

and if you really want to get hardcore, you could try these, but I would recommend extreme caution for a beginner:

I think if you put the same dedication into some neck / trap training that you do for your arms, you will have a powerful neck in no time at all!

BuckSpin · 11-03-2009, 04:04 AM

I absolutely love shrugs, but I agree with ID - deads, deads, deads in any way, shape or form. My traps echo for days after Rack Pulls.

Clive, you have been at this quite a while. What kind of deadlifts do you do & how much are you pulling?

Tyler_Durdin · 11-03-2009, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dekere

that can't be good for your neck and spine?!?!

if anything it strengthens your spine i've been doing them for two weeks and my neck has grown a little

Tyler_Durdin · 11-03-2009, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arlecchino

OL'ing, DB rows more than bb rows, Shrugs done on chest supported t-bar row.

thanks dude but what is ol'ing? and how do db rows work your back more than bb rows?

Old_Swole · 11-03-2009, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyler_Durdin

thanks dude but what is ol'ing? and how do db rows work your back more than bb rows?

Olympic lifting.

Kurtbeals · 11-05-2009, 07:06 PM

[QUOTE=IronCharles;405256761]Your neck doesn't look that small! In fact, I can't even see it!
See? That's why I never need to work my neck!!!!

bbrower30 · 11-05-2009, 07:10 PM

Hit those shrugs with your chin pressed against your upper chest...hits the upper trap muscle that runs into the back of your head.