Shoulders
Dumbbell Lateral Raise
Build broad, well-defined shoulders with a controlled motion that isolates the lateral deltoid heads for maximum width.
How to perform.
Follow the sequence — setup is half the lift.
Stand upright with your feet shoulder-width apart and hold a dumbbell in each hand at your sides with a neutral grip.
Engage your core and maintain a slight bend in your elbows while leaning your torso forward just a few degrees.
Raise the weights out to your sides in a wide arc until your arms are parallel to the floor.
Pause for a brief second at the top of the movement, ensuring your palms are facing the ground and your pinkies are slightly elevated.
Lower the dumbbells back to the starting position under slow, deliberate control to maintain tension on the muscle.
Stop the weights just before they touch your thighs to keep the lateral deltoids engaged throughout the entire set.
Common mistakes.
Fix these first — they cost reps, kilos, and joints.
- Using excessive momentum or swinging the torso to lift the weights.
- Raising the dumbbells significantly higher than shoulder level.
- Leading the movement with the hands rather than the elbows.
- Shrugging the shoulders toward the ears during the concentric phase.
Muscles worked.
The primary movers do the work; the stabilizers keep the path honest.