Plate-loaded Shrug Machine – Definitive FAQ Guide

A plate loaded shrug machine is a safer alternative to free weights. It is a valuable resource for all commercial gyms.

Therefore, it is wise to learn all the essential information about plate loaded shrugs. Before making your final choice.

The simplest way to do this is to read this FAQ guide. It will give you detailed answers to the important questions in your mind.

Including, all the facts, figures, & specifications, of plate loaded shrug machines.

Let’s begin,

Table of Contents

What is a plate loaded shrug machine?

It is a plate loaded piece of fitness equipment. It isolates & develops the shoulder muscles. Especially the trapezius. Which starts at the shoulder and fans out over the upper back.

The exercise is called “a trap shrug”.

A plate loaded shrug machine is also called a trap machine or a trap shrug machine.

Machine: A plate loaded shrug machine

Muscle group: Shoulder (Trapezius)

Mechanics: Isolation

Type: Strength equipment

Figure 1 – A plate loaded shrug machine

How many types of plate loaded shrugs are available commercially?

There are two types of commercial plate loaded shrug machines:

• A standing plate loaded shrug machine (No seat)

• A combo or seated/standing plate loaded shrug machine (Options to sit or stand)

How versatile is a plate loaded shrug machine?

A plate loaded shrug machine is not just limited to performing trap shrugs. It can be used for many other exercises, like:

• Standard deadlifts
• Stiff legged deadlifts
• Trap shrugs
• Push presses (Iso-lateral)
• Single-arm rows, etc. (Iso-lateral)

There is a combination plate loaded shrug machine with an ankle roller for performing lunges as well.

What are the features of a plate loaded shrug machine?

The important features of a plate loaded shrug machine are as follows:

Dimensions L*W*H	1300 * 1650 * 1160 mm (Fully assembled)
Weight	Approximately 110 – 160 Kg 0r above
Starting resistance	10 – 11 Kgs, Approx. 25 pounds
Weight load	Plate loaded
Handles	Aluminum, Chrome coated, Two types (Upper & lower)
Handle grips	High quality, slip-resistant grip, rubber
Main exercise	Seated or standing trap shrugs (shoulders)
Seat	Made adjustable with pop-pins or step ladder (depending on the manufacturer), a high-density foam padding, furniture grade PU leather upholstery, ABS guard cover.
Backrest	Adjustable, Aluminum arm parallelogram structure, Torsion spring adjustment.
Frame	Durable, high-gauge steel, powder or chrome coated finish, Continuous welds at joints.
Weight plate sleeves	Hard chrome, long (to accommodate multiple plates)
Weight capacity	Approximately 400 – 600 Kgs or above
Type	Strength equipment
Assembly	Shipped semi-assembled, Plywood packaging
Customization	Logo & logo design, Color & finish of the frame, Color & material of the upholstery, shroud.
Warranty	Yes
Foldable	No
Weight plates	Not included, purchase separately.
Base	Slip-resistant, rubber coated

What type of weight plates are used for a plate loaded shrug machine?

Commercial shrug machines use conventional, round, disc-shaped weight plates. These are usually the 2 inch, Olympic plates.

Weight plates are not included with the machine though. They have to be purchased separately.

Figure 4 – YR Fitness Olympic weight plate

The absence of an attached weight stack makes a plate loaded shrug machine, a cheaper option to buy comparatively.

They also have built-in weight plate storage pegs in the frame. So, there is no need to buy separate weight storage racks.

 YR Fitness has a wide range of standard, Olympic, bumper, weight plates, etc. You can find all types of weight plates for your plated loaded machines.

https://youtu.be/7IRIp5yqAj8

What are the benefits of a commercial plate loaded shrug machine?

The major benefits of using a plate loaded shrug machine are the following:

• Efficient design
• Safety
• Iso-lateral movement arms
• Ground base
• Secondary exercise options
• Compact machine
• Beginner-friendly
• Spotter free or self-spot

Efficient design:

A plate loaded shrug machine is designed to provide maximum benefit to the user. It lets the user perform seated and standing exercises with ease.

A plate loaded shrug machine has a simple & efficient design. Making it comfortable & easy to use.

Safety:

Resistance machines are always the safer option compared to free weights. Though free weights have a slightly upper hand when it comes to muscle building.

Trap shrugs have a limited range of motion. This makes plate loaded shrug machines and free weight both equally effective.

So, plate loaded shrug machines are the safest option to choose for doing trap shrugs.

Iso-lateral movement arms:

Resistance machines are always the safer option compared to free weights. Though free weights have a slightly upper hand when it comes to muscle building.

Trap shrugs have a limited range of motion. This makes plate loaded shrug machines and free weight both equally effective.

So, plate loaded shrug machines are the safest option to choose for doing trap shrugs.

Ground base:

A plate loaded shrug machine gives the option of ground-based training. This simply means that the user’s feet are firmly planted on the ground.

Increasing both safety & stability during use.

Secondary exercise options:

A plate loaded shrug is used to perform many exercises, apart from a trap shrug. For example,

Deadlifts, lunges, etc.

Figure 5 – A plate loaded standing shrug machine

Compact machine:

Compared to other plate loaded equipment, a shrug machine has a much smaller footprint. The compact size makes it easy to move and store.

Beginner-friendly:

This is a very simple machine. There aren’t many moveable or adjustable parts. There is a very small learning curve for beginners.

Once you get used to it, a plate loaded shrug machine becomes second nature to use.

Spotter free or self-spot:

This is a huge advantage for beginners or people looking to increase their weight load. The machine spots the weight for you.

The weight storage pegs allow for easy weight plate storage as well.

Why makes a plate loaded shrug machine a good investment for buyers?

A commercial plate loaded shrug machine is a good investment for all types of buyers, because it is:

• Cost-effective machine
• Low maintenance
• Multifunction
• Higher weight load
• Sturdy construction

Cost-effective machine:

Unlike sectorized machines, plate loaded equipment has no attached weight stack. This brings down the cost considerably. 

A plate loaded shrug machine can be used with conventional, round, weight plates. Which most commercial gyms already have in stock.

Low maintenance:

A plate loaded shrug machine is a straightforward piece of equipment. It has no easily damaged parts, like, pulleys, cables, etc.

It only requires basic maintenance and can be used as many times as needed. Without any noticeable damage or lag.

Figure 6 – A sturdy, plate loaded seated/standing shrug machine

Multifunction:

As stated above, plate loaded equipment has no weight stack. It can be used with any regular, round, Olympic weight plates.

Once you buy the weight plates. They can be used with other plate loaded machines in the commercial gym. The weight plates can be used with barbells as well.

Figure 7 – YR Fitness weight plate storage rack

High weight load:

A plate loaded shrug machine can withstand higher weight loads. Compared to the selectorized version.

This makes it more versatile and adaptable in the long run.

Sturdy construction:

As a rule, plate loaded machines are constructed from strong and long-lasting materials. A plate loaded shrug is no exception.

YR Fitness plate loaded shrug machines are made of high gauge steel. This makes them sturdy & long-lasting.

Which is the best place to buy wholesale, plate loaded, shrug machines?

Commercial buyers look for quality machines, at affordable prices. One of the best places for that is China.

The advantage of buying wholesale, plate loaded shrug machines from a Chinese manufacturer, like, YR Fitness are:

• High production capacity
• Low production costs
• Cheap labor
• Original designs
• Established factory
• Decades of experience
• Experienced staff
• Stable supply chain
• Easy access to ports
• Equipment customization options
• Proper packaging & delivery, etc.

What is the difference between a seated & standing, plate loaded shrug machine?

The differences between a seated plate loaded shrug machine and a standing plate loaded shrug machine are:

What type of handles & handle grips are on a plate loaded shrug machines?

Shrug machines have different handles & grip options depending on the type of machine & the manufacturer.

Handles:

Plate loaded shrug machines may have different types of handles, like:

• Single handle
• Dual handles
  • Side by side
  • Upper & lower

Single handles are good for doing shrugs and isolating the trapezius. If there are two handles on the machine, (upper & lower).

The lower handle is for doing regular deadlifts & the upper handle is for partial deadlifts & trap shrugs.

Figure 8 – Upper and lower handles on a seated, plate loaded shrug machine

Side by side, dual handles accommodate for narrow and wide grips of individual users. The handles are knurled for a firm hold.

Handle grips:

Some models have different handle grips to fully isolate the traps. And workout either facing the machine or away from it.

Figure 9 – Adjustable handle grips

What are the weight plate storage options for plate loaded shrug machines?

To avoid cluttering the gym floor and buying unnecessary add-ons, like, extra weight trees for weight plate storage.

Plate loaded shrug machines come with weight plate storage pegs built-in to the frame. The storage pegs are extra-long to accommodate multiple weight plates.

There are 2 – 4 storage pegs, depending on the type of the shrug machine & the manufacturer.

Figure 10 – weight pins & weight storage pegs on a plate loaded shrug

What is the starting resistance for a plate loaded shrug machine?

For a plate loaded shrug machine, the starting resistance is 10 – 11 Kgs or approx. 25 pounds.

Starting resistance is the weight supported by the equipment. It is kept to a minimum so that it doesn’t affect the weight capacity of the machine.

Conclusion

A plate loaded shrug machine is a part of most commercial gyms. Its safety & versatility mean that there is a lot of variety available.

Don’t let all the options confuse you though. Read this FAQ guide. It will hopefully help you find what you are looking for.

A trusted wholesale manufacturer like YR Fitness is your best bet.

Browse through the diverse range of plate loaded shrug machines on YR Fitness.com. You won’t be disappointed.

Why wait?

Ask for a quote today!