If you're an athlete doing contact sports or simply want to improve your posture and spine health, resistance-based neck exercises can be a game-changer.
These exercises can be performed safely and effectively using proper neck workout equipment such as neck harnesses. Here are the best neck harness models to get.
In a hurry?
In a hurry?
In a hurry and can’t keep reading? How about you check out the Spud Inc Neck Harness.
The SPUD Neck Harness is a little pricier than similar products, but it's worth the investment because of its durability and comfort. It's made from thick nylon webbing and reinforced with extra stitching to ensure it can support any exercise weight.
Top 5 Best Neck Harnesses Reviewed
1. Spud Inc Neck Harness - Top Pick
SPUD Inc. is a U.S.-based manufacturer of fitness accessories from Columbia, South Carolina. Their target audience primarily consists of powerlifters, strongmen, and martial artists, and their most popular products include weightlifting belts, wrist wraps, lifting straps, and similar.
SPUD is committed to quality and functionality, with a majority of its products being manufactured in the United States using high-grade materials.
- Item weight: 2 lbs
- Item materials: Nylon, neoprene, steel
- Item dimensions: 6 x 3 x 4 inches
- Closure Type: Velcro strap
- Color: Black
photo by @yurykonev
Positives:
Fully manufactured in the U.S.A.
Made from a durable and comfortable nylon webbing
The chain is adjustable from both sides
Could be better:
Lack of chin strap or D-links limits exercise variety
2. DMoose Neck Harness - Runner-up
The DMoose neck harness stands out with its exceptional quality and customizable design for a fair price. Crafted from durable nylon straps, it offers a secure and comfortable fit. The size can be adjusted to fit virtually any head shape and size using velcro straps behind the head and under the chin. The added neoprene padding on the top provides extra cushioning, preventing discomfort and pressure points during workouts.
photo by @ali_hyder_chy
The harness can carry a large amount of weight without breaking using a 30-inch long heavy-duty steel chain. Using connecting carabiners on each side, the chain length can be adjusted to your preference and exercise type. Moreover, the D-links on the sides enable the attachment of other equipment, such as resistance bands, for enhanced exercise variety.
Each harness comes in a small pouch which you can use to carry it with you or store it away when you’re not using it. It comes in five color options, including the unique and eye-catching American flag style.
Positives:
Multiple color options
- Adjustable back and chin length
- Comes in a small plastic carry pouch for easy storage and carrying
Could be better:
Athletes with smaller heads may find the forehead strap to be overly large and fall over their eyes
3. Jayefo Sports Neck Training Exerciser Harness - Budget Pick
If you're looking for an affordable option without compromising on quality, hop onto Amazon and get a Jayefo neck harness. This is the sort of product that won’t blow you away with its features but offers durability and comfort that exceeds expectations for the price.
- Item weight: Around 1 pound
- Item materials: Nylon, neoprene, steel
- Item dimensions: One size fits all
- Closure Type: Velcro
- Color: Black
The Jayefo neck harness is constructed using a 5mm neoprene padded nylon material, which is commonly used in this type of product. This material provides breathability and comfort, preventing sweat absorption and post-workout odors. Adjusting the size is easy with the back and chin velcro strap.
To ensure durability, the strap connections are reinforced with triple stitching, making the harness resistant to ripping even under heavier weights. It features a 31-inch steel chain that connects to steel D-links on both sides, offering full adjustability in length. With a weight capacity of up to 500 lbs, this harness is virtually unbreakable for resistance exercises, considering neck exercises are typically performed with lighter weights. However, it's important to note that the D-links are not fixed in place and may rotate the chain in opposite directions if not properly aligned. Take a moment to check their position and make any necessary adjustments before starting your workout.
The harness comes in a compact package, providing convenient storage and portability. Additionally, each purchase is accompanied by lifetime customer support and warranty, with thousands of positive reviews to attest to its quality.
Positives:
5mm padding is quite comfortable
- Lifetime customer support and warranty
- Triple stitching lowers the chance of tears
- Holds up to 500 lbs (virtually unbreakable from the weight)
Could be better:
The D-links are not fixed and could rotate the chain in opposite directions, check before use.
- Item weight: Around 0.90 pounds
- Item materials: Nylon, neoprene, steel
- Item dimensions: One size fits all
- Closure Type: Velcro strap
- Color: Black
The Hawk neck harness is primarily made of nylon, with its 4mm thick double-stitched neoprene padding on the forehead and top providing extra comfort. It features a 36-inch long heavy-duty steel chain that can support up to 150 lbs of weight, which is well above average for this type of product and virtually unreachable for neck exercises.
photo by @jhuangprime
It uses two reliable hook and loop velcro straps, one positioned below the chin and the other behind the head, for easy size adjustment. These straps not only keep your workout gear securely in place but also provide essential support to your head and neck during training sessions.
Positives:
Breathable and moisture-resistant fabric
- Neoprene padding both on the top and forehead area
- 36-inch long adjustable chain fits various athlete sizes
Could be better:
The large velcro on the back needs to be adjusted carefully or it can stick to your hair
- Item weight: Around 1.6 pounds
- Item materials: Nylon, neoprene, steel
- Item dimensions: One size fits all
- Closure Type: Velcro strap
- Color: Black
The RDX Neck Harness offers a range of features that make it a standout. With 3-way adjustability, including adjustable straps at the top, bottom, and back, you can ensure an optimal and secure fit no matter your head size. The industrial-grade nylon features 4mm neoprene padding along the entire harness, creating 360-degree cushioning and maximizing user comfort.
The harness uses a 35-inch long 7-gauge steel chain that can withstand large amounts of weight. Furthermore, the chain can be attached to four D-rings at two different heights, allowing for versatile resistance training with two separate length settings. That said, an unfortunate oversight of this product is the hook & loop links that lay directly into your head, which can dig in under heavier weight and might require a DIY solution.
Positives:
Four D-links for chain attachment open up exercise possibility
Three-way adjustable straps (top, back, and chin)
7-gauge steel chain is thick and durable
Could be better:
The hook & loop links can dig into your head under heavier weight
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What Is Neck Harness?
A neck harness is a piece of training equipment used to condition muscles in the neck and upper back. Neck harnesses are commonly designed with two padded straps that connect to provide support and stability to the head. One of the straps wraps horizontally around the forehead and the back of the head, while the other strap goes over the top of the head. More often than not, the over-the-top wraps also extend into a chin strap. Additionally, a metal chain strapped to both sides is used to support the weight you add for resistance.
4 Benefits Of Using Neck Harness
Resistance-based training using neck exercises equipment like the neck harness has been shown to increase strength, mobility, and endurance. This not only improves your athletic performance but benefits your daily life as well.
1. Increased Strength And Size
Resistance-based neck exercises such as head extensions can increase size and strength in prominent neck muscles, particularly the splenius capitis and semispinalis capitis. Neck strengthening equipment is most commonly used by athletes who practice full-contact sports such as football, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, MMA, and similar. The added muscle volume and strength serve to prevent opponents from easily gripping and holding on, such as with grappling martial arts, for example.
2. Improving Neck Mobility
By using this type of neck strengthening equipment, athletes target muscle groups responsible for flexion (forward movement), extension (backward movement), lateral flexion (side tilt), and rotation. This not only strengthens the worked muscles but also improves neck mobility.
Furthermore, neck mobility is helpful for dodging head blows or, in the event of receiving a strike to the head, reducing the risk of injuries such as dislocation and sports-related concussion (SRC) caused by unwanted head acceleration.
3. Preventing Injury
Cross-examining various studies has shown that neck musculature and mobility reduce the likelihood of sports-related injuries. This further suggests the importance of resistance-based neck exercises, particularly for professional and recreational athletes in contact sports.
4. Correcting Posture
In today's digital age, many of us spend a significant amount of time with our heads tilted while looking at our computers and phones. Consequently, head posture problems have reached an all-time high, especially among younger generations. While stretching exercises are often suggested as a remedy, studies have indicated that resistance-based neck exercises offer superior and longer-lasting outcomes when it comes to correcting neck posture and improving mobility.
FAQ
What Are The Tips For Using Neck Strengthening Equipment?
Before starting your neck exercise, it is essential to perform light stretching, including up-down, left-right, and rotational movements, to activate the muscles. When using neck exercise equipment, it is paramount you use light weight and avoid exercising to muscle fatigue. Ensure that each exercise is performed with controlled movements, avoiding swinging or rapid changes in direction. Necks are highly sensitive because they contain delicate structures such as nerves, blood vessels, and the cervical vertebrae (upper spine), which are prone to severe injury.
Is Neck Workout Equipment Safe To Use?
Similar to any exercise tool, neck workout equipment is safe to use if utilized properly. By following the above-stated guidelines, including warming up, controlling the movement, using low weight, and avoiding fatigue, you will have no problems.
That said, it’s always a good idea to perform a checkup with your doctor or physical therapist before engaging in new exercises, particularly if there’s cause to suspect neck exercise equipment can cause issues due to your medical history.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for neck workout equipment, neck harnesses are a great choice. By using one, you can safely and effectively perform neck exercises. These exercises not only improve your neck strength and size, but also your neck mobility and posture, leading to increased sports performance, injury prevention, and better quality of life.
Based on our findings, the best neck harness to get is the Spud Inc model, with the DMoose coming in a close runner-up position. We also recommend you check out our other picks, as their individual pros may be suited to your needs.
We’d love to hear from you as well. Are you someone who is into contact sports or are you looking for ways to improve neck health? If so, do you perform resistance-based neck exercises?
Leave a comment letting us know and remember to follow our social media pages for more valuable fitness content.
Also read:
References:
- Effectiveness of a tailored neck training program on neck strength, movement, and fatigue in under-19 male rugby players: a randomized controlled pilot study // Sports Med: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4427068/
- Specificity of resistance training responses in neck muscle size and strength // Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9189733/
- Feasibility and Effect of Cervical Resistance Training on Head Kinematics in Youth Athletes: A Pilot Study // Am J Phys Med Rehabil: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6813830/
- Neck Muscular Strength, Training, Performance and Sport Injury Risk: A Review // Sports Med: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26861960/
- Effects of Neck Exercise on High-School Students’ Neck–Shoulder Posture // J Phys Ther Sci: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3804985/
My name is Ihor and I have been a professional weightlifter since 1996. With over 20 years of competition experience, my resume includes European Champion in 2009 and the silver medalist at 2011's Senior World Championships – 105kg division.
I competed at the 2008, 2012 and 2016 Summer Olympics.
After hanging up my own competitive lifting shoes, I decided to share my huge background as a coach. I am currently coaching multiple athletes who are competing at national and international competitions.