Dumbbell Lateral Raise Overview
| Exercise: | Dumbbell Lateral Raises |
| Primary Muscle: | Deltoid |
| Additional Muscle(s): | Trapezius |
| Type: | Isolation, Push |
| Gear Needed: | Dumbbell |
What is a Dumbbell Lateral Raise?:
The dumbbell lateral raise mainly focuses on strengthening your lateral muscles. When lifting, remember to only move at the shoulder joint, this way you can isolate your deltoid and trapezius shoulder muscles. Also remember to keep your wrists straight, and your body in a stationary position. Maintain a slight bend in your elbows so you can get the most of this routine. A great trick to getting the most out of this exercise, it to tilt the weight slightly as though you are pouring liquid out of a cup. This small tweak to the exercise will put an additional emphasis on your deltoids to really maximize effectiveness. Be very conservative with weight for this exercise, as the shoulder is one of the most sensitive joints in the human anatomy.
How to do a Dumbbell Lateral Raise:
- Pick up two dumbbells and sit at the end of a flat bench while having your feet securely on the ground. Grab the dumbbells with your palms facing inward and yours arms straight down at your sides at an arms length. This position will be the starting point.
- While having your torso motionless and not swinging, raise the dumbbells to your side with your elbows slightly bend and hands slightly tilted forward as if you were pouring a glass of water. Go up until you arms are horizontal to the ground. Breathe out as you perform this movement and hold for a brief second at the top.
- Lower the dumbbells back down at a slow pace to the original starting point as you breathe in.
- Complete the preferred number of reps for this exercise.
Alternative: This exercise can also be done by standing up.