Lateral raises
Middle deltoid (the side of the shoulder that gives you width).
How to do it
- Standing, a dumbbell in each hand at your sides, elbows slightly bent.
- Lean your torso slightly forward.
- Raise your arms out to the sides up to shoulder height, leading with your elbows.
- Lower slowly (2-3 s) until the dumbbells almost touch your thighs.
Cues
- Think of pushing the dumbbells towards the walls, not up.
- Shoulders away from your ears.
- Light, controlled weight: ego doesn't help here.
Common mistakes
- Swinging your body to lift the weight.
- Raising above shoulder height by shrugging your traps.
- Letting the dumbbells drop on the way down.
Photos: free-exercise-db (public domain).
Want a plan that includes this exercise?
AppGym builds a plan that fits you, tells you what weight to use on every set and lets you know when to go up, deload or ease back in after a break.
Create my plan