Lateral Raises

Lateral Raises

1️⃣ Targeted Muscles

  • Primary: Lateral deltoids (side shoulders)
  • Secondary: Trapezius, anterior delts, forearms (for stabilization)

2️⃣ Why Are Lateral Raises So Effective?

  • Isolates the side delts, creating broader and more defined shoulders
  • Enhances upper body aesthetics and proportions
  • Supports shoulder stability and reduces injury risk
  • Strengthens muscles used in overhead movements (e.g., presses, lifting objects)

3️⃣ Proper Execution

🔹 Dumbbell Lateral Raises (Classic Shoulder Builder)

1. Starting Position:

  • Stand with feet hip-width apart, holding a dumbbell in each hand
  • Keep a slight bend in your elbows, palms facing inward
  • Engage your core and keep your torso upright

2. Lifting the Weights:

  • Raise the dumbbells out to the sides until they reach shoulder height
  • Pause briefly at the top and squeeze your delts

3. Lowering the Weights:

  • Slowly bring the dumbbells back down with control
  • Keep tension in your shoulders—no dropping!

🔥 Pro Tip: Use light weights with perfect form—momentum kills muscle activation!

4️⃣ Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them

Swinging the weights – Lift with control instead of using momentum.
Lifting too high – Shoulder height is optimal—going higher increases injury risk.
Shrugging the shoulders – Focus on using your delts, not your traps.

5️⃣ Pros & Cons

✅ One of the best exercises for wider shoulders
✅ Easy to perform with dumbbells or cables
✅ Helps shoulder stability and injury prevention
❌ Requires strict form for full effectiveness
❌ Heavier weights can compensate with traps, reducing delt activation


Want to master the perfect lateral raise?


📸 Pictures/Videos → coming soon