Cable Lateral Raise Guide: Build Wider Shoulders
Master the single-arm cable lateral raise with our step-by-step guide to isolate the lateral deltoids and build capped shoulders.
How to Perform
- Set the cable pulley to its lowest position and attach a single D-handle.
- Stand sideways to the machine with your feet shoulder-width apart and grasp the handle with the hand furthest from the weight stack.
- Maintain a slight bend in your elbow and a tall posture with your chest up and core engaged.
- Raise your arm out to the side in a wide arc until it reaches shoulder height, exhaling as you reach the top.
- Pause for a brief second at the peak of the movement to maximize the contraction of the lateral deltoid.
- Lower the weight back to the starting position under control, ensuring you do not let the plates touch the stack.
- Complete the set for one arm before switching sides to repeat the process.
Common Mistakes
- Using excessive momentum or swinging the torso to lift the weight.
- Bending the elbow too much which shifts the load to the triceps.
- Raising the hand significantly higher than shoulder level.
- Shrugging the shoulder toward the ear during the lifting phase.
Muscles Worked
Primary movers
- Shoulders
Stabilizers
- Trapezius
- Forearms
- Core
Related Guides
- Arm Raises (T/Y/I) — Shoulders
- Arnold Press — Shoulders
- Australian pull-ups — Shoulders
Shoulders · Shoulders