Side Lateral Raise

How to do the Side Lateral Raise

1. Pick a couple of dumbbells and stand with a straight torso and the dumbbells by your side at arms length with the palms of the hand facing you. This will be your starting position.
2. While maintaining the torso in a stationary position (no swinging), lift the dumbbells to your side with a slight bend on the elbow and the hands slightly tilted forward as if pouring water in a glass. Continue to go up until you arms are parallel to the floor. Exhale as you execute this movement and pause for a second at the top.
3. Lower the dumbbells back down slowly to the starting position as you inhale.
4. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

Muscles worked

Role	Muscles
Primary	shoulders
Equipment	dumbbell
Difficulty	beginner
Type	isolation

No dumbbell? Train the same muscles with these

Ordered by how likely you are to own the 6 options.

Lateral Raise - With Bands Resistance Bands Handstand Push-Ups Bodyweight Shoulder Press - With Bands Resistance Bands Band Pull Apart Resistance Bands Internal Rotation with Band Resistance Bands Alternating Kettlebell Press Kettlebell

Harder than the Side Lateral Raise

Push Press expert · Barbell Clean and Jerk expert · Barbell Circus Bell expert · Other Equipment

Superset the Side Lateral Raise with

Opposing middle back work — alternate sets without extra rest.

Bent Over Two-Dumbbell Row middle back Bent Over Two-Dumbbell Row With Palms In middle back Dumbbell Incline Row middle back One-Arm Dumbbell Row middle back

Common questions

What muscles does the Side Lateral Raise work?

The Side Lateral Raise primarily works the shoulders. Alternating Deltoid Raise, Car Drivers, and Dumbbell Incline Shoulder Raise train the same muscle, across 9 equipment types.

What equipment do you need for the Side Lateral Raise?

Dumbbells. Without dumbbells, Lateral Raise - With Bands, Handstand Push-Ups, and Shoulder Press - With Bands train the same muscle, and 10 of the catalogue's options for this muscle need no equipment.

Is the Side Lateral Raise suitable for beginners?

Yes, the Side Lateral Raise is rated beginner. Push Press, Clean and Jerk, and Circus Bell are the progressions from here.

Where should the Side Lateral Raise go in a workout?

Late — the Side Lateral Raise is isolation work, so it follows your compounds. Supersetting it with Bent Over Two-Dumbbell Row and Bent Over Two-Dumbbell Row With Palms In cuts session time without extra rest.

Similar exercises

Alternating Deltoid Raise Dumbbell Car Drivers Barbell Dumbbell Incline Shoulder Raise Dumbbell Dumbbell Scaption Dumbbell Front Cable Raise Cable Machine Front Dumbbell Raise Dumbbell