Lateral-to-Front Raises: Form Guide & Mistakes
Master the lateral-to-front raise with our professional guide. Learn proper form, avoid common mistakes, and build well-rounded shoulder strength.
How to Perform
- Stand upright with your feet shoulder-width apart and hold a pair of dumbbells at your sides with a neutral grip.
- Raise the weights out to your sides until your arms are parallel to the floor, keeping a slight bend in your elbows.
- Breathe out and slowly swing the weights forward until they are directly in front of your chest while maintaining shoulder height.
- Lower the weights slowly back down to the starting position in front of your thighs in a controlled manner.
- Reverse the movement by lifting the weights straight to the front, then swinging them out to the side before lowering.
- Continue this rhythmic pattern, alternating the order of the raise to maintain constant tension on the shoulder complex.
Common Mistakes
- Using excessive momentum or swinging the torso to lift the weights.
- Raising the weights significantly above shoulder height, which increases impingement risk.
- Arching the lower back rather than maintaining a braced, neutral core.
- Gripping the dumbbells too tightly, which can lead to premature forearm fatigue.
Muscles Worked
Primary movers
- Shoulders
Stabilizers
- Upper Trapezius
- Serratus Anterior
- Forearms
Related Guides
- Arm Raises (T/Y/I) — Shoulders
- Arnold Press — Shoulders
- Australian pull-ups — Shoulders
Shoulders · Shoulders