Dumbbell Lateral Raise

A standing dumbbell raise out to the sides — the foundational isolation for the side delts and shoulder width.

Shoulders Dumbbell Strength

Step by step

1. Stand tall with a dumbbell in each hand, arms at your sides, palms facing your thighs.
2. Set a slight bend in the elbows and lock that bend in place for the rest of the set.
3. Brace the core, pull the shoulders back and down, and resist any urge to swing the torso.
4. Raise both dumbbells out to the sides in a wide arc until the arms reach shoulder height.
5. Pause briefly at the top with the wrists, elbows, and shoulders all roughly in one straight line.
6. Lower the dumbbells under control over 2 to 3 seconds back to the start, fighting tension the whole way.

Muscles and equipment

Target muscle

Side delts

Secondary muscles

none

Equipment

Dumbbell

Type

Strength

Similar exercises

• Dumbbell Upright RowSide delts · Dumbbell
• Band High Face PullSide delts · Band
• Band Lateral RaiseSide delts · Band