What contributes to the thick neck some athletes, like football players, aquire?

Question

Obviously they lift a great deal of weight and often, but are there specific exercises that contribute more to the "thick neck phenomenon"? If I want a well-built body, does it have to come along with a gigantic neck?

Answer 1

Your going to get some natural neck growth, from shoulder and back work, but if you dont target it (with shrugs, or the neck machines, etc.) you shouldnt get a huge neck.

Answer 2

A strong neck and upper back is critical in many sports---especially football. It can reduce the trauma of impact injuries that can lead to traumatic brain and spinal injuries. The neck is often overlooked during strength training, however, even though the risk of spinal injuries is likely reduced if athletes concentrate more on shoulder- and neck-strengthening exercises. Many neck exercises can be performed with just a dumbbell and sometimes no equipment at all. Dumbbell Exercises You don't need access to a gym to strengthen your neck. In fact, there is a wide variety of neck exercises that you can do simply with one or two dumbbells. Neck raises only require one dumbbell. You lie on the floor, holding the dumbbell at your forehead, and simply raise your head 10 to 12 times. These exercises help with the neck muscles you use to absorb frontal impact. Reverse neck raises are the opposite of a neck raise, and work the opposing muscles of the neck. Shrugs will work the trapezius muscle, which is the largest in the neck and upper back. A strong trapezius muscle helps support the neck, and attach to all the vertebrae in the neck and upper back. Holding a dumbbell in each hand, you simply shrug your shoulders up and down. Other dumbbell exercises include bent over shrugs and upright rows. You should perform these exercises no more than two to three days per week. Isometric Exercises These include front/back and side exercises, and require no equipment at all. To begin, you place your hands flat on either your forehead, the back of your head or the left or right side of your head. You then push your head against your hand. The key is to not let your neck bend so you maintain constant tension on your neck muscles. Hold for around 10 seconds and then relax. Resistance Exercises Several of these require a flat bench and a light plate weight. Face-up and face-down plate exercises require you to lie either on the flat bench either on your back or stomach, with your head and neck extending off the edge of the bench. You'll place the weight either behind your head (face down) or on your forehead (face up) and move your head upwards, using only your neck muscles. Harness exercises require only a towel. You simply wrap the towel around the back of your head, holding the ends with each hand. Then you move your head up and down while providing resistance with the towel. This can be done either sitting or standing. Range of Motion Exercises There is no equipment necessary for these exercises either. They consist of simple activities such as rotating your neck in a circular motion, nodding your head forward and backward and from side to side as far as it will go, and holding each for about 5 seconds.

Answer 3

the the 1st poster stated, lifting heavy weights and especially following a training routine based on compound exercises and olympic lifts will do that. but you have to remember that exercise only provides the neccessary stimulus of growth, the diet ultimately determines the size of the muscles. if you want to get big you have to lift big and eat big. my neck is 20" and I've never done any direct neck work in my life.