Dumbbell Lateral Raises

Stand tall, dumbbells at sides, palms in. Raise arms out to shoulder height with a slight elbow bend, leading with elbows; keep shoulders down, core braced, wrists neutral, lower slowly. Builds strong, wider side delts.

Muscles worked

Primary

Equipment

Dumbbell Lateral Raises exercise demonstration

How to do it

  1. Stand or sit tall with a light load and soft elbows.
  2. Brace the core and set the shoulders down away from your ears.
  3. Raise the arms out to the sides.
  4. Stop before you need to lean or shrug.
  5. Pause briefly at the top.
  6. Lower under control to the start position.

Watch for

  • Using body swing to start the rep.
  • Shrugging before the delts do the work.
  • Going heavier than the shoulder can control.

Breathing

Exhale as you lift, inhale as you lower.

Tip

Keep the load light enough that the last rep follows the same path as the first.

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