Dumbbell Lateral Raise
A shoulder isolation exercise where you lift dumbbells out to the sides to target the lateral delts.
Secondary muscles
How to do it
- Stand tall with a dumbbell in each hand at your sides, palms facing in.
- Set your shoulders down and brace your midsection.
- Raise both arms out to the sides until your hands reach about shoulder height, keeping a soft bend in your elbows.
- Pause briefly at the top without shrugging your shoulders.
- Lower the dumbbells back to your sides with control.
Form cues
- Lead with your elbows
- Stop at shoulder height
- Keep shoulders down
- Soft bend in elbows
Common mistakes
- Shrugging the shoulders up toward the ears
- Swinging the torso to heave the dumbbells upward
- Lifting the hands well above shoulder height
- Straightening the elbows and turning it into a front swing
Breathing
Exhale as you raise the dumbbells to the sides, and inhale as you lower them back down under control.
