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Shoulders exercise · dumbbell

Dumbbell Lateral Raise

The dumbbell lateral raise is a dumbbell exercise that targets the shoulders (deltoids), with the traps assisting.

Animated demonstration of the dumbbell lateral raise
Dumbbell Lateral Raise — demonstration
Target muscle
Delts
Also works
Traps
Equipment
Dumbbell
Body part
Shoulders

How to do the dumbbell lateral raise

  1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and hold a dumbbell in each hand, palms facing your body.
  2. Keep your back straight and engage your core.
  3. Raise your arms out to the sides until they are parallel to the floor, keeping a slight bend in your elbows.
  4. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower your arms back down to the starting position.
  5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

Sets and reps

For muscle growth, 3–4 sets of 8–12 reps with 60–90 seconds of rest is a proven starting point. For strength, use a heavier weight for 3–5 sets of 3–6 reps and rest 2–3 minutes. Add a little weight once you hit the top of your rep range on every set.

Muscles worked

The main muscle is the shoulders (deltoids). The traps work as secondary muscles. See all shoulder exercises or every dumbbell exercise.

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