A muscular neck is usual among athletes and some bodybuilders. It’s often correlated with strength and power. Some individuals see it as a part of a healthy and appealing physique. A specific measurement cannot define a thick neck. Instead, it is measured in proportion to the rest of your body concerning weight, height, and composition. If you’re building a muscular physique, you’d want to bulk up your neck too. Some individuals want a thick neck solely for aesthetic reasons. They like the way it looks and finds it more enticing.

Not just athletes or gym freaks but professional boxers have long understood the significance of a stronger neck. You can’t get yourself an iron jaw if you’re a boxer but making your neck strong enough can help you withstand a strong punch from your opponent. There are many reasons which suggest why neck training exercises are beneficial for keeping your overall body posture in check since the brain regulates the functioning of the entire body.

For your brain to communicate with your body, it must go through the neck which makes it the essential connection between mind and the entire body. Individuals who stick to the computer screen for a longer duration are more likely to suffer from recurring pain in the neck. Surprisingly, neck pain has become the second most common pain after the back pain over two decades.

Here are some neck exercises to tone, strengthen, and build an attractive neck using some neck harness and other types of equipment. It’s advisable to do at least 3 sets of 12 reps for each exercise to see visible results.

1) Resistance Workout

Resistance neck workout is made to enhance the adaptability and strength of the neck muscles. You can easily perform this workout routine from the comfort of your home or while in the gym.

• Begin by keeping your hands behind your head
• Keep your vision straight as this would enable you to keep your head in the correct level.
• Push your head back without moving your hands.

Use your strength to tackle the force. You can perform a similar exercise for right and left neck motion resistance workout. Resistance bands are ideal equipment to strengthen neck muscles and other parts of your body.

2) Neck Plate Curls

While doing this exercise make sure to use the weight you’re comfortable in holding and that does not put a lot of strain on your neck or back muscles, this can increase the chances of elevating the pain and soreness.

• The first lie parallel on a bench with your head hanging off the edge and shoulders aligned with the edge of the bench
• Use both hands and hold lightweight with a firm grip at the back of your head. You can even use neck harness for performing this exercise
• Slowly lift your head upwards, then go back to normal position and repeat the same

3) Towel Exercises

Grab a towel and fold it horizontally to get that extra thickness and comfort.

• Begin this exercise by standing with your feet slightly wider apart (You can even do this by sitting on a bench or a chair)
• Wrap the folded towel behind your head towards the bottom of the hairline
• Hold each end of the towel with different hands and gradually start by bringing your chin down towards the chest
• The key to making this exercise effective is to hold the towel tight enough to create enough resistance for the neck
• Go on doing this exercise by lifting and dropping your head in a gentle manner

4) Headstand

Mostly performed by professional and expert yoga practitioners, this exercise, in particular, can be completed in just two easy steps.

• Start by placing a pillow near the wall or a door then kneel down by keeping your head over the pillow
• Now through your legs up in the air and against the door and stay in this position.
• Initially, you may find it difficult to balance, but gradually you’d be able to hold this position for a longer time.

5) Neck Harness

You must be aware that professional boxers like Mike Tyson, Floyd Mayweather Jr, and others use a neck harness to lift weights while engaging their neck. It gets attached to your head, and a chain hangs down where you can connect a free weight of your choice.

• Lay flat on a bench or any flat surface, and face downwards
• Attach a neck harness with a reasonable weight to your head and neck correctly.
• Gradually lift your neck, and then look back down. Repeat this workout routine for 3 sets of 12 reps each.

Many studies have concluded that these neck pain reducing exercises are ideal for treating chronic neck pain in individuals along with increasing the strength of the neck muscles and it’s the range of motion.