Shoulder Raise — starting position, working the shoulders

Shoulder Raise — end position, working the shoulders

How to do the Shoulder Raise

Relax your arms to your sides and raise your shoulders up toward your ears, then back down.

Muscles worked

Role	Muscles
Primary	shoulders
Secondary	lats
Equipment	no equipment
Difficulty	beginner

Train the same muscles a different way

6 alternatives for the same shoulders, with and without kit.

Back Flyes - With Bands Resistance Bands Band Pull Apart Resistance Bands External Rotation with Band Resistance Bands Bent Over Dumbbell Rear Delt Raise With Head On Bench Dumbbell Dumbbell Lying One-Arm Rear Lateral Raise Dumbbell Dumbbell Lying Rear Lateral Raise Dumbbell

Harder than the Shoulder Raise

One-Arm Kettlebell Split Snatch expert · Kettlebell One-Arm Kettlebell Snatch expert · Kettlebell Double Kettlebell Snatch expert · Kettlebell

Common questions

What muscles does the Shoulder Raise work?

The Shoulder Raise primarily works the shoulders, with the lats as secondary movers. Elbow Circles, Shoulder Circles, and Shoulder Stretch train the same muscle, across 9 equipment types.

What equipment do you need for the Shoulder Raise?

None — the Shoulder Raise is bodyweight, so it works at home, in a hotel room or outdoors. Elbow Circles and Shoulder Circles also need nothing.

Is the Shoulder Raise suitable for beginners?

Yes, the Shoulder Raise is rated beginner. One-Arm Kettlebell Split Snatch, One-Arm Kettlebell Snatch, and Double Kettlebell Snatch are the progressions from here.

Similar exercises

Elbow Circles Bodyweight Shoulder Circles Bodyweight Shoulder Stretch Bodyweight Barbell Rear Delt Row Barbell Standing Two-Arm Overhead Throw Medicine Ball Back Flyes - With Bands Resistance Bands

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