Dumbbell Lateral Raise
Beginner - Strength - Isolation

Targeted Muscle Group

Shoulders figure highlighted in blue

MAIN

Shoulders

 figure highlighted in blue

 figure highlighted in blue

Recommended Equipment

Dumbbell equipment

Dumbbell

How to do it

A Dumbbell Lateral Raise is an effective exercise for targeting the lateral deltoid muscles, which are located on the sides of your shoulders. Here’s how you can perform the exercise correctly:

Setup:

Stand with feet shoulder-width apart. This provides a stable base. Keep a slight bend in your knees for balance. Hold a dumbbell in each hand: Your arms should hang down by your sides with your palms facing your body (neutral grip). The dumbbells should be close to your thighs.

Engage your core:

Tighten your abdominal muscles to maintain a stable torso throughout the movement.

Execution:

Begin the movement by raising your arms out to the sides until they are at shoulder height. Keep a slight bend in your elbows to reduce stress on your joints. Your palms should face the floor as you lift the weights.

Control the movement:

Lift the weights in a controlled manner, avoiding momentum or swinging. Focus on using your lateral deltoid muscles to lift the weights.

Pause briefly at the top:

Once your arms reach shoulder height, pause for a brief moment. Ensure your shoulders are level and your body remains still.

Lower the dumbbells slowly:

Lower the weights back to the starting position in a controlled manner. Maintain the slight bend in your elbows and avoid letting the dumbbells drop quickly.