- Primary MuscleShoulders
- EquipmentDumbbell
- • Rapid descent without control
- • Improper bracing / lost tension
- • Inconsistent range of motion
Setup
Stand tall with dumbbells at your sides, palms facing in. Slight bend in elbows, core braced. Lean forward 10-15 degrees to target side delts better.
Execution
Raise dumbbells out to the sides until arms are parallel to floor (or slightly higher). Keep elbows slightly bent throughout. Pause at the top, then lower with control.

Key Cues
Lead with pinkies: slight external rotation
Elbows slightly bent, not locked
Raise to parallel or slightly above
Control the descent: 2-3 seconds down
No swinging: strict form only
Common Mistakes
Using momentum to swing the weights
Raising too high (shoulder impingement risk)
Using too much weight
Shrugging shoulders
Bending elbows too much
Programming
3-4 sets of 12-20 reps. Use lighter weight and focus on the squeeze. Lateral raises are about quality, not ego.
Train 2-3 times per week after pressing movements.
READY TO LIFT?
Add the Dumbbell Lateral Raise to your next training cycle. The next week can change from what you logged.
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