Best Neck Training Harness

If you have never used a neck training harness but think it might be something you want to try, we have all of the information you need for choosing the right one, how to use it properly, and how it will benefit you.

Neck training harnesses can make a tremendous difference to your athletic performance, whether you train in martial arts, weight lifting, or any other demanding physical activity.

Most important of all, a strong neck is a safe neck. Neck training harnesses can help prevent injury. So, take a look at our favorites below as well as our detailed buyer’s guide with tips for exercises, safety, and more.

What is a Neck Training Harness? 

For those unfamiliar with neck training harnesses, the name might conjure up images of something used on a horse, or a dog harness or a leash. 

This type of harness, however; is worn on your head (not your neck), and then you attach chains to the harness and weights to the chains. Nothing is wrapped around or attached to your neck, so you can rest assured the neck harness will not create a choking sensation or difficulty breathing.

Once the harness is attached to your head, along with the appropriate weights and chains, you perform specific exercises, as directed by your trainer or physician, intended to strengthen the muscles in your neck.

If you have suffered a neck injury as a result of an accident or some type of trauma, be sure to consult your physician before you use a neck training harness.

The Best Neck Training Harness: Our Top Four Picks

Any one of these four harnesses will be useful in terms of increasing your muscle strength and helping you with greater athletic performance overall.

Hawk Sports Neck Harness Neck Exerciser

Materials: Steel and Neoprene

Weight: 431 grams

Chain Length: 30 inches

On the Hawk Sports Neck Harness Neck Exerciser, you will find a long 30-inch steel chain that is connected by two D-rings and adjustable side hooks. This harness is backed by a lifetime warranty from the manufacturer, and the 4-millimeter-thick neoprene padding ensures comfort in its design.

This adjustable neck harness can be used by both men and women and receives positive reviews from customers looking to increase neck muscle strength for weightlifting or other physical activities.

DMoose Neck Harness for Weight Lifting

Materials: Stainless Steel and Neoprene

Weight: 1.14 pounds

Chain Length: 30 inches

The DMoose Neck Harness will not only help you strengthen the muscles in your neck, but you can flex your fashion sense in the gym while doing it. This neck harness comes in five different colors (including a stars-and-stripes pattern for a patriotic look).

Adjustable nylon straps and extra heavy D-rings ensure a snug and safe fit, and the neoprene is also breathable to ensure comfort during your training.

RIMSports Neck Harness for Weight Training

Materials: Neoprene, Steel Chain

Weight: 1.38 pounds

Chain Length: 30 inches

Available in both black and grey, the RIMSports Neck Harness sports a triple-strap design with comfortable padding around the head, chin, and ears. The durable straps and extra D-rings make this another solid choice among neck training harnesses.

Consumers report this harness is effective not only for training for contact sports but also for managing and alleviating neck pain.

HYPELETICS Neck Weight Lifting Harness

Materials: Neoprene with hook-and-loop fasteners

Weight: unknown

Length: 33 inches

The strong saddle stitching on the straps of the HYPELETICS Neck Weight Lifting Harness makes it a favorite among athletes looking for a particularly durable device. Its design ensures that weight is held in the center and that strength training exercises may be performed safely.

A lifetime guarantee is offered by the manufacturer, and the extra thick padded straps ensure comfort. Unlike the other harnesses on our list, the HYPELETICS does not use a steel chain but an industrial-strength weight strap instead. Some prefer this for ease of use and find this type of harness the best for transporting to and from a gym away from home.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Shop for the Best Neck Training Harness

As you might expect from the fitness industry, a $35.3 billion market, there are many choices when it comes to neck training harnesses.

Shopping for fitness equipment can be overwhelming, and the products you choose should be appropriate not only for the type of exercise or training you are doing but they should also be suited for your overall health and fitness level.

As a reminder, you should always consult a physician before trying new exercise routines, including the use of a neck training harness.

When used properly and safely, neck training harnesses provide tremendous benefits.

How Can I Benefit from a Neck Training Harness?

Neck training is incredibly beneficial when it comes to combat (and contact) sports. If you practice martial arts, kickboxing, wrestling, rugby, or football, this training will serve you well. However, neck harness training can be useful for anyone looking to improve their physical fitness and athletic ability.

When it comes to combat and contact sports specifically, users benefit from exercising with a neck training harness by increasing the strength of the muscles in the neck leading to:

-lower risk of injury

-better reflex times (to protect the head and jaw)

-improved balance

Strengthening neck muscles goes beyond athletic performance as it can also be an important tool in pain management. Neck exercise can be beneficial for those with chronic pain, and it can help to relieve the tension and stiffness so many of us carry in our necks.

Whether our necks are suffering as a result of poor posture, bad sleeping habits, or general stress, exercise can provide some much-needed relief.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Neck Training Harness

Once you decide to purchase a neck training harness, you will want to focus on three specific characteristics as you review products.

• Size

• Comfort

• Durability

Sizing is incredibly important as a properly fitted harness is crucial to safety. With adult heads typically ranging in circumference from 21 to 23 inches, a good harness will have the right adjustments to ensure a proper and snug fit. Just as an ill-fitted shoe could impede your training as a runner, an ill-fitted harness could affect your neck muscle training or even cause injury.

Comfort is another important factor to consider, and one of the best ways to gauge this is by reading consumer reviews for each product you are considering. Also be sure to check the supplier or manufacturer’s information regarding returns or exchanges, should you find the harness is too uncomfortable to use.

Finally, durability is something we look for in all fitness equipment, including neck training harnesses. You want a harness that is specifically designed for durability as it will be holding chains and weights. The last thing you want is a harness made with shoddy materials that could break or tear and cause injury.

What Exercises Should I Perform While Wearing a Neck Harness?

The exercises you should perform with your neck harness will depend upon what your trainer or physician recommends. Some exercises may be better suited to strength training for a particular physical activity while others may be better suited to pain management and relief.

The neck harness exercises below are simply suggestions based on some of the most common techniques; check with your physician before trying any of these.

Some neck exercises can be performed without a harness; for example, you might use your arm to create resistance as you push your head from side to side or back and forth. A harness, however; lets you control the exact resistance with weights while building your neck strength.

Neck Flexion

Once you have placed the harness on securely and attached your chains and weights, start in either a sitting or standing position.

Lean forward so that you create an angle close to 45 degrees. If you need it, you may stabilize yourself with your arms against the side of a chair.

Next, you will tilt your head down, lowering your chin toward your chest, and then raise it back up and repeat the movement.

Neck Extension

The extension is the opposite of the exercise listed above.

Start seated or standing and with the harness securely in place, tilt your head backward as far as you can comfortably go. Be sure to perform this exercise slowly and carefully; you want to avoid “whipping” your neck back quickly and causing a strain. Repeat the process several times.

Neck Rotation

Another exercise you can try with your neck harness is a rotation.

You will want to pay close attention to your posture and position as you move your neck from side to side while wearing the harness.

The goal is to move your head but keep your back and body straight; in other words, do not allow yourself to “twist” while turning your head.

Neck Lift

One final exercise you can try with your neck training harness is a lift.

Lie flat on the floor or a sturdy bench with your harness securely in place. Slowly lift your head off the ground then lower it back down and repeat.

You can also lie on your stomach and lift your head from that direction.

Safety Tips for Neck Training Harnesses

All of these exercises can be performed safely and effectively as long as you keep these tips in mind.

1. Consult your physician before using a neck harness, especially if you have an injury.
2. If you work with a trainer, develop a plan for the best exercises for your specific needs, including maximum weights.
3. Always be sure your harness is properly fitted before starting any exercise.
4. Focus on posture and stability. Allow yourself plenty of time to get stabilized before you start the exercise and work slowly and deliberately.
5. Only use a harness made of high-quality materials and durable construction.
6. Never leave a neck trainer unattended or where children can access it.

Final Thoughts and FAQs for Neck Training Harnesses

When it comes to training and strengthening the muscles in your neck, there are few tools more effective than a neck training harness. These are popular in professional as well as home gyms and are recommended by trainers, therapists, and physicians alike.

Even if you are not planning to enter a bodybuilding competition, take on a CrossFit challenge, or join the local rugby league, you may still benefit from this strength training in terms of your overall health. While wrestlers and football players look to a neck harness to help with specific performance issues, any individual could benefit from this device when it comes to pain management. 

Remember to consult your physician before trying a neck harness and also follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for safety.

FAQs

Are Neck Training Harness Exercises Painful?

They should not be! If you are finding yourself in extreme pain while performing an exercise, stop immediately. It is natural to feel some strain, just as you would while lifting barbells, for example, but intense or unbearable pain is a sign that you are performing the exercise incorrectly or have sustained an injury.

What Amount of Weight Should I Use?

This will be different for every athlete, based on your level of strength, body type, etc., and your trainer will be a good resource to help you determine where to start. In general, most people will start with 2.5-pound weight plates. Beginners should also stick to no more than 25 reps of an exercise until they build up more strength and get used to the harness.

Can I Wash the Harness?

Always check the manufacturer’s instructions for the best way to clean the straps.

Can Neck Training Help Prevent Concussions?

In some cases, it can! Neck strengthening makes you better equipped to withstand the types of blows that sometimes cause concussions in sports. This is just one more benefit of training with a neck harness to strengthen the muscles in your neck.