Shoulder Exercises: The Top 10

#7. Dumbbell Lateral Raise on Incline Bench

Why: The Dumbbell Lateral Raise on an Incline Bench is perhaps the single best of these shoulder exercises in targeting the lateral head of the shoulder. While it provides numerous benefits over other shoulder exercises, one of the greatest components is that it limits supraspinatus activity and truly forces the lateral deltoid to produce the movement.

Execution: Grab a dumbbell and lie flat on your side on an incline bench set to about 30-degrees. Hold the dumbbell with your arm fully extended and resting on the outside of your upper thigh. Maintaining a slight bend in the elbow, raise the dumbbell until your hand is in line with your shoulder. Pause, and then slowly return to the starting position. Repeat for the prescribed number of sets and repetitions.