How to Get a Stronger Neck?

Anatomy of Your Neck Muscles

Our neck is made up of muscles that allow it to flex, twist, turn, and extend. Below is a table to illustrate this more clearly:

How to Get a Stronger Neck: Best Exercises for Neck Strength & Stability

Below, we’re sharing some of the best neck strengthening exercises to help you build muscle, improve posture, and reduce the risk of injuries. Whether you're using a harness, resistance bands, or bodyweight movements, these exercises will enhance your neck stability and overall strength.

Neck Flexion With Harness

Neck flexion with a harness is an effective exercise for building neck strength, improving posture, and reducing the risk of injuries. It specifically targets the front neck muscles, enhancing overall stability and support.

How to Perform:

• Attach a neck harness to a cable machine or weight stack.
• Sit on a bench with your back straight and the harness securely on your head.
• Slowly lower your head forward while keeping your back straight.
• Raise your head back to the starting position, focusing on using your neck muscles.
• Perform 3-4 sets of 10-15 repetitions.

Neck Extension With Harness

Neck extension with a harness is a targeted exercise that strengthens the posterior neck muscles, including the trapezius, splenius, and levator scapulae. It enhances neck stability, improves posture, and helps prevent strain-related injuries, especially for athletes, weightlifters, and combat sports enthusiasts.

How to Perform:

• Attach the harness to a cable machine or weight stack.
• Sit on a bench facing away from the machine with the harness on your head.
• Slowly extend your neck backward, focusing on using your neck muscles.
• Return your head to the starting position.
• Perform 3-4 sets of 10-15 repetitions.

Lateral Neck Flexion With Harness

Lateral neck flexion with a harness is a powerful exercise for strengthening the side neck muscles, particularly the sternocleidomastoid and scalene muscles. Strengthening the lateral neck muscles can also help alleviate uneven muscle tension, improve posture, and enhance performance in combat sports, football, wrestling, and other high-impact activities.

How to Perform:

• Attach the harness to a cable machine or weight stack.
• Sit on a bench with your back straight and the harness on your head.
• Tilt your head to the side, bringing your ear towards your shoulder while keeping your back straight.
• Return your head to the neutral position.
• Repeat the movement to the opposite side.
• Perform 3-4 sets of 10-15 repetitions on each side.

Neck Rotation With Harness

Neck rotation with a harness strengthens the rotational neck muscles, improving mobility, flexibility, and stability. It targets the sternocleidomastoid, splenius capitis, and deep cervical muscles, making it ideal for athletes, martial artists, and those with neck stiffness. This exercise enhances head control, reduces injury risk, and supports overall neck function.

How to Perform:

• Attach the harness to a cable machine or weight stack.
• Sit on a bench with your back straight and the harness on your head.
• Slowly rotate your head to one side as far as comfortably possible, keeping your chin level.
• Return your head to the neutral position.
• Repeat the movement to the opposite side.
• Perform 3-4 sets of 10-15 repetitions on each side.

Neck Isometric Holds

Neck isometric holds are essential for building strength, stability, and endurance in the neck muscles without requiring movement. This exercise engages the sternocleidomastoid, trapezius, and deep cervical muscles, helping to prevent injury, improve posture, and reduce strain from daily activities or sports.

How to Perform:

• Stand or sit with your back straight and your shoulders relaxed.
• Place your hand on one side of your head, and gently resist with your neck muscles, trying to tilt your head to the side against the resistance of your hand.
• Hold for 5-10 seconds, then switch to the other side.
• You can perform isometric holds in flexion, extension, and lateral flexion directions.
• Repeat each hold for 3-4 sets, holding for 5-10 seconds on each side.

Neck Curls

Neck curls are a highly effective exercise for building neck strength and thickness, particularly targeting the sternocleidomastoid muscles at the front of the neck. This movement helps improve posture, enhance stability, and reduce the risk of neck strain or injury, making it ideal for athletes, wrestlers, and anyone looking to develop a stronger, more resilient neck.

How to Perform:

• Create a barrier between the weight plate and your head to prevent bruises and ridges.
• Get the DMoose weight plate, place it on your forehead, and try to move your chin toward the upper chest.
• Keep your arms and abs disengaged and focus only on your neck.
• You should feel intense neck contractions and lactic acid build-up; otherwise, you're doing it wrong.

Neck Extension With Weights

Neck extension with weights is a powerful exercise that targets the posterior neck muscles, including the trapezius, splenius, and spinal erectors. This movement helps build strength, improve posture, and enhance neck stability, making it especially beneficial for athletes, weightlifters, and combat sports enthusiasts.

How to Perform:

• Wear a thick hat to prevent bruising on the back of your head.
• Then place the weight plate on the back of your head and use both hands to support it on either side. Remember to keep your elbows tucked in.
• Before starting, your neck should be in a flexed position. It would help if you were looking down such that you could see the foot of the bench beneath you.
• Inhale before initiation. Once settled, initiate the upward movement by lifting your head and arms together.
• Remember to keep all the tension in your neck. Exhale during the concentric movement. Your head should be slightly above the shoulders, not craned or over-extended.
• Avoid overextending, and keep your lower rib cage in contact with the bench. Lower your head at a controlled pace and then repeat.

Related Article: 15 Best Weight Plate Exercises You Can Do at Home

Neck Extension Without Weights

Neck extension without weights is a simple yet effective bodyweight exercise that strengthens the posterior neck muscles, including the trapezius and splenius. It helps improve posture, reduce neck strain, and enhance mobility, making it a great option for beginners, rehabilitation, or anyone looking to build neck strength without added resistance.

How to Perform:

• Lie on your stomach, but don't lay flat on your stomach.
• Keep your upper chest and your shoulders off the ground.
• Then from there, maintain that position and bring your chin down slowly, then extend back up all the way.

Neck Side Raises

Neck side raises are an excellent exercise for strengthening the lateral neck muscles, including the sternocleidomastoid and scalene muscles. This movement enhances neck stability, mobility, and balance, making it particularly beneficial for athletes, fighters, and those looking to prevent neck imbalances and reduce injury risk.

How to Perform:

• Lie on a bench.
• Place the weight on your heads.
• Flex your neck sideways. 
• Repeat. 

Neck Flexion

Neck flexion is a fundamental exercise for strengthening the front neck muscles, particularly the sternocleidomastoid. This movement improves posture, enhances stability, and reduces the risk of neck strain, making it ideal for athletes, weightlifters, and individuals recovering from neck discomfort.

How to Perform:

• Start by standing tall with a straight spine and erect body.
• Slowly flex your head downward.
• Try to bring your chin in so it may touch your chest. Keep your mouth closed.
• Return to the starting position and continue with the rest of the reps (three sets of twelve for each exercise).

Neck Lateral Flexion

Neck lateral flexion is an effective exercise for strengthening the side neck muscles, including the sternocleidomastoid and scalene muscles. This movement helps improve neck mobility, posture, and stability, making it beneficial for athletes, weightlifters, and those recovering from neck strain or imbalances. This exercise can also be done without equipment. To become a pro, you can increase the difficulty level using a resistance band, a partner, or a four-way neck machine.

How to Perform:

• Stand with the correct posture and look straight ahead.
• Turn your head so it leans to the other end and brings your ear toward your shoulder.
• Keep your shoulders flat throughout the exercise. Do not lift your shoulders.
• Return to the initial position and repeat the same steps on the opposite side.
• Continue with the same reps as the previous exercise.

Dumbbell Shrugs

Dumbbell shrugs are a highly effective exercise for strengthening the trapezius muscles, which support the neck, shoulders, and upper back. This movement helps improve posture, enhance neck stability, and reduce the risk of shoulder and neck strain. 

Use dumbbells to allow for greater resistance than body weight, leading to increased muscle mass and strength in the upper back and neck.

How to Perform:

• Hold a dumbbell in each hand, arms at your sides.
• Lift your shoulders up towards your ears.
• Hold for a moment.
• Lower them back down.

Resistance Band Exercises for a Stronger Neck

Strengthening your neck with resistance bands  is an effective way to build muscle endurance, improve posture, and reduce the risk of injuries. Unlike static stretches, resistance band exercises provide controlled resistance throughout the movement, helping to activate deep stabilizing muscles.

Neck Flexion With Resistance Bands

Neck flexion with resistance bands is a great way to strengthen the front muscles of your neck, improving stability and reducing strain from poor posture. This exercise helps develop better control over neck movements, making it beneficial for athletes, desk workers, and anyone looking to enhance neck strength.

How to Perform:

• Anchor a resistance band to a sturdy surface at head height.
• Sit or stand facing away from the anchor point and loop the band around the back of your head.
• Hold for a second at the end range, then return to the starting position in a controlled manner.
• Perform 10–15 reps for 2–3 sets.

Neck Extension With Resistance Bands

Neck extension with resistance bands targets the muscles at the back of your neck, helping to improve posture, reduce neck strain, and enhance overall stability. This exercise is especially useful for those who experience forward head posture or stiffness from prolonged screen time.

How to Perform:

• Stand facing the anchor point with your feet shoulder-width apart.
• Keep your back straight and shoulders relaxed.
• Gently press the back of your head against the resistance of the band.
• Extend your neck backward, moving your head away from the anchor point. 
• Hold this position for about 2-3 seconds.
• Slowly release the pressure on the band and bring your head back to its natural position.
• Perform 2-3 sets of 10-12 repetitions.

Lateral Flexion Exercises With Resistance Band

Lateral flexion exercises with a resistance band help strengthen the muscles on the sides of your neck, improving stability and reducing the risk of imbalances. This movement enhances mobility and can help prevent stiffness or discomfort caused by poor posture or repetitive strain.

How to Perform:

• Stand perpendicular to the anchor point.
• Keep your feet shoulder-width apart and relaxed.
• Maintain an upright posture. 
• Gently press the side of your head against the resistance of the band.
• Tilt your head to the right, moving your ear toward your right shoulder.
• Hold this position for about 2-3 seconds.
• Repeat the same steps on the left side.
• Perform 2-3 sets of 10-12 repetitions on each side.

Potential Risks of Neck Exercises

While neck exercises can provide numerous benefits, performing them incorrectly or overworking your muscles can lead to pain and injury. Strained muscles, worn-out joints, and nerve compression are common issues that may arise from improper technique or excessive resistance.

According to a study, overworking or misusing your neck muscles can lead to pain and injury. To minimize these risks and safely strengthen your neck, follow these guidelines:

• Start with light resistance and higher repetitions to build endurance gradually.
• Perform movements in a slow, controlled manner to prevent strain or sudden injuries.
• Increase resistance or weight progressively as your neck becomes stronger.
• Stop immediately if you experience pain or discomfort and allow time for recovery.
• If you're new to neck training or have any existing neck issues, consulting a fitness professional or physical therapist can help ensure proper form and prevent injuries.

Other Benefits

Building a stronger neck isn’t just about appearance, it plays a crucial role in overall health, posture, and injury prevention. A well-conditioned neck can reduce pain, improve mobility, and enhance athletic performance. Here are some key benefits of strengthening your neck.

• A thicker neck isn't just about aesthetics; it provides several functional benefits.
• Strengthening your neck can reduce pain from daily stresses like prolonged desk work or contact sports.
• Even individuals with chronic neck pain can benefit from building a stronger neck.
• Regular neck workouts help decrease tightness and improve flexibility.
• Performing neck exercises gradually increases your range of motion and supports better spinal alignment.
• Improved posture, enhanced athletic performance, and overall better health are additional benefits of a stronger neck.

Related Article: 4 Neck Strengthening Exercises for Boxers and Athletes

FAQs

1. How can I get a thick neck?

Exercises for increasing the size of your neck include: neck curls, neck extensions, neck side raises, neck flexion, and neck lateral flexion.

You can change the number of reps or sets as you see fit to align it with the rest of your workout regime.

2. How can I make my neck bigger at home?

Don't have the luxury of any gyms nearby? The neck exercises above have got you covered! You can incorporate these exercises into your workout routine in the comfort of your home.

3. How can I get a muscular neck fast?

There is never a hard and fast method to alter your body or appearance (unless you are considering the surgeries that would cost you an arm and a leg). Take it gradually and go at your tempo.

You can enhance the intensity and duration of your neck muscle training as you progress. When you can see noticeable results, it may take a few weeks or months, depending on your strength training.

4. What's the best product on the market to get a thick neck?

To efficiently perform any exercise above, I would like to present DMoose Fitness' neck harness! This neck harness is the perfect fit for starting your fitness journey.

It is very beneficial as it can be used for strengthening the neck, shoulders, and chest muscles, which means you are fixing your posture and simultaneously working for a thick neck and healthier body.

Conclusion

Getting a stronger neck isn’t just for looks—it helps with posture, reduces pain, and makes you more resilient in sports and daily life.

By adding the right exercises to your routine, like resistance band moves or weighted training, you can build strength and stability over time.

Just remember to start slow, keep good form, and listen to your body to avoid injuries. A strong neck doesn’t happen overnight, but with consistency, you’ll feel the difference. So start today and give your neck the strength it deserves!

Reading List

• 4 Neck Strengthening Exercises for Boxers and Athletes
• 7 Quick And Easy Neck Exercises
• Unleash Your Power and Forge a Resilient Neck With a Neck Harness
• How to Use Neck Head Harness