Heavy backpack= big traps?

[glebbyd]

I'm a college student trying to build muscle. I barely have time to do traps at the gym tho. Would you say that walking around with a heavy backpack would make my traps bigger? Stronger? Or will it do more damage than good?

[71Avido]

Or will it do more damage than good?

Bingo.
It would put a lot of stress on your low back if it were heavy enough to build traps.

Now, you could always do shrugs using a heavy backpack, just not by wearing it.

[Quadzillas]

I've been walking around with a heavy bag for years and my traps are certainly not big compared to anything else. Why don't you have the time to spend 5 minutes doing heavy barbell shrugs a couple of times a week though? 3 sets of 8 does not take long.

[Engineer_Guy]

I'm a college student trying to build muscle. I barely have time to do traps at the gym tho. Would you say that walking around with a heavy backpack would make my traps bigger? Stronger? Or will it do more damage than good?

If this actually worked then every college campus on the planet would be filled with guys with huge traps.

[SugarFree1]

The only thing it ever did for my traps in the infantry was to leave strap marks on them...

[glebbyd]

I've been walking around with a heavy bag for years and my traps are certainly not big compared to anything else. Why don't you have the time to spend 5 minutes doing heavy barbell shrugs a couple of times a week though? 3 sets of 8 does not take long.

That is a great idea. But when I lift intend to go all out on my lifts for higher quantity of sets. But I will do that.
Also by the time I'm done with my main lifts, my forearms are ready to give up.

[ironwill2008]

Also by the time I'm done with my main lifts, my forearms are ready to give up.

Then use straps.

If you have a body part that lags, attack it directly.

[glebbyd]

Then use straps.

If you have a body part that lags, attack it directly.

I can't wait to lift heavier for my muscles that are lacking without worrying about forearms.
I used to think that straps were for little show off drama queen guys that aren't strong enough. But looks like I'm one of them haha. Thank you for your advice.

[71Avido]

I can't wait to lift heavier for my muscles that are lacking without worrying about forearms.
I used to think that straps were for little show off drama queen guys that aren't strong enough. But looks like I'm one of them haha. Thank you for your advice.

Some people prefer to use a "hook grip" on heavy barbell work instead of conventional overhand, mixed grip or straps when their forearms are lacking a bit.
Hook Grip:


Hook grip does hurt for a while until you're used to it, some swear they will never use anything but.

[allancadenhead]

If this actually worked then every college campus on the planet would be filled with guys with huge traps.

True. Haha, this made me laugh out loud at work. People are looking at me funny!

I've been walking around with a heavy bag for years and my traps are certainly not big compared to anything else. Why don't you have the time to spend 5 minutes doing heavy barbell shrugs a couple of times a week though? 3 sets of 8 does not take long.

This is true. Why don't you knock off 5minutes of your shower time and add it to "Trap Time" ??