Neck Muscles Workout: The Best Way To Stronger Your Neck
From the base of the skull and jaw to the shoulder blades and the collarbone, you have over 20 neck muscles. Neck muscles provide support and stability to the head, neck, and upper part of the spine. They also help to move the head in various directions and aid in chewing, swallowing, and breathing.
What are neck muscles?
Your neck muscles are part of a complex system of soft tissues and bones that connect the base of the skull to the torso. Muscles have fibers that contract (shrink) and allow you to do many different things.
Your neck muscles help you chew and swallow, nod your head, and more. You have over 20 muscles in your neck.
What are the muscles in your neck?
The neck muscles are skeletal muscles. They attach to bones through tendons. They are voluntary muscles, meaning you don’t control how they move.
The other types of muscles in your body are cardiac (the muscles in your heart) and smooth muscles (the muscles in hollow organs such as your stomach).
Purpose of the Neck Muscles
- The neck muscles help lift your upper ribs so that you can breathe.
- Help with chewing.
- swallowing, and speaking
- Make certain facial expressions.
- Move your head, neck, and upper back including your shoulder blades, and stabilize and support your head, neck & spine.
Important Muscles of the Neck
Levator scapulae.
Levator Scapulae Muscle (Levator Scapula) attaches at the top 4 vertebrae of the neck (C1-C4) and extends down the neck to attachment at the apex of the scapula (shoulder blade). This muscle assists in:
- Lifting shoulder blade
- Bending the neck to one side
- Rotating the head
Sternocleidomastoid (SCM).
The SCM attaches to a tiny bone behind your ear (the mastoid process) and then travels down your neck to attach to both your sternum and your collarbone. When one or both of the muscles on either side of your neck are contracted, you can rotate your head to one side or tilt your chin upwards. It’s a large muscle, and it also protects some delicate structures, like your carotid.
Trapezius.
The trapezius is a large muscle located on the surface of your body. It extends from the base of your skull (the base of your skull) down your cervical spine and into your lower thoracic (mid-back) spine. It also extends out to your shoulder blade. Together, these two muscles make up the kite shape.
The trapezius can be used to extend your head up or down, turn your neck backward, rotate/turn your head, or lift your shoulder blade.
Erector spinae.
Erector spinae are made up of multiple muscles located throughout the spine. Within the cervical spine, these muscles are responsible for supporting your posture, turning your neck, and extending your neck back.
Deep cervical flexors.
The longus capitus (longus capitus muscle) and the longus colli (longus colli muscle) run along the front of your cervical spine.
The deep cervical flexor (deep cervical flexor muscle) flexes your neck forward and stabilizes your cervical spine.
Suboccipitals.
Suboccipital muscles are made up of four pairs of small muscles that connect the upper part of the cervical spine to the lower part of the skull. Suboccipital muscles play an important role in head extension and rotation.
The Benefits of Strong Neck Muscles
Are you ready to learn everything you need to know about a strong neck?
In this section, we’ll look at 4 reasons why you should start neck training and build stronger neck muscles.
There are so many benefits to strengthening your neck muscles, from injury prevention to improved range of motion, flexibility, reduced pain, and improved performance.
Let’s dive right in.
Injury Prevention
- For every pound of cure, there is a pound of prevention.
- If Benjamin Franklin was alive today, he would love the Iron Neck.
- He knew the difference between fixing a problem and curing it.
- The key to injury prevention is fixing weaknesses before it becomes a problem.
- Challenging your neck from all angles exposes weaknesses.
- It may sound too good to be true.
- But Iron Neck turns those weaknesses into strengths!
- It’s important for athletes, but it’s also important for everyone.
- You never know when you’ll be in an accident.
- When you slip and fall, your neck may be all that’s going to save you.
- Iron Neck is a great tool for reducing whiplash risk as well as concussion risk.
- Using neck training can also help with neck twinges and tweaks.
- There are plenty of stretches and exercises that can help with pinched nerve pain.
- For more information on how to treat your pinched nerve pain, read our related blog.
- Learn how to treat your cycling neck pain with exercise.
Increased Range Of Motion & Flexibility
Iron Neck helps maintain your neck’s natural motion. Unlike traditional neck training methods, you’re not moving your head against something, but rather you’re holding your head against a horizontal bar.
Reduce Neck And Back Pain
- Posture plays a major role in neck and back pain and the risk of degenerative neck conditions.
- We spend hours hunched over our computers. We spend hours craning over our phones. We spend hundreds of hours stuck in traffic.
- From the moment we wake to the moment we go to sleep, our spines battle gravity. Over the past few decades, we’ve become addicted to technology, and our bodies have adapted to accommodate it.
- With Iron Neck, you can improve your strength and stability throughout your neck and back, and correct your posture. By being proactive against the forces of gravity, you can win the battle!
How to Get Strong Neck Muscles
Understanding what the neck goes through every day, you understand that the neck can’t be ignored. When we focus our attention on the neck and train it in a manner that aligns with our overall body movements, we start to open doors that we never thought possible before.
You’re part of the Iron Neck ecosystem. Strength & Conditioning Coaches, Personal Trainers, Physical Therapists, Chiropractors, Doctors, and Athletes across almost every sport. Learn from the leaders in innovation in each area. Integrate these innovators into your programming, you’ll see improvements in Injury Prevention, Mobility, Neck/Back Pain, and Biomechanics.
We’d love to hear your innovative approach and share it with the world. You’re limited only by your creativity with Iron Neck. Transform your way of training the neck today. Neck Exercise Equipment on the Market
Conclusion
Neck muscles are important for providing support and stability to the head, neck, and upper part of the spine, as well as for various movements such as chewing, swallowing, and breathing. Strengthening neck muscles can help prevent injuries, improve range of motion and flexibility, reduce neck and back pain, and correct posture.
Read: The Best Leg Press Workouts In The Gym
FAQs for Neck Muscles
Q. Why are neck muscles important?
A. Neck muscles are important for providing support and stability to the head, neck, and upper part of the spine. They also play a role in various movements such as chewing, swallowing, and breathing.
Q. How can strengthening neck muscles prevent injuries?
A. Strong neck muscles can help support and stabilize the head and neck, reducing the risk of injuries such as whiplash or strains from sudden movements.
Q. Can strengthening neck muscles improve range of motion and flexibility?
A. Yes, strengthening neck muscles can improve the range of motion and flexibility in the neck, allowing for smoother and more comfortable movements.
Q. How can strong neck muscles reduce neck and back pain?
A. Weak neck muscles can lead to poor posture and strain on the neck and upper back, resulting in pain. Strengthening these muscles can help alleviate this pain and prevent future discomfort.
Q. Can strengthening neck muscles correct posture?
A. Yes, strong neck muscles can help maintain proper posture by supporting the head and aligning the spine, reducing the strain on the neck and back muscles.
Q. What are some exercises to strengthen neck muscles?
A. Some exercises to strengthen neck muscles include neck stretches, head nods, and resistance training with resistance bands or weights.
Q. Is it important to warm up before doing neck exercises?
A. Yes, it is important to warm up before doing any exercises, including those for the neck. This helps to prevent injury and prepares the muscles for activity.
Q. Can neck muscle strengthening benefit athletes?
A. Yes, strengthening neck muscles can benefit athletes by improving their neck stability and reducing their risk of injury during sports or physical activities.