Exercises / Dumbbells
How to do a lateral raise
Makes your shoulders look wider. Light weight, slow reps.
Setup
- Stand tall, dumbbells by your sides.
- Slight bend in your elbows.
How to do it
- Raise your arms out to the sides.
- Stop at shoulder height, like a T.
- Lower slowly, don't drop.
Common mistakes
- Going higher than your shoulders.
- Swinging your body.
- Shrugging your shoulders up.
Sets, reps and weight for beginners
| Sets | 3 |
|---|---|
| Reps | 12–15 |
| Rest | 60 seconds |
| Starting weight | Start with 2 × 4 kg. Lighter than you think. |
| Muscles | Shoulders |
| Equipment | Dumbbells |
When all your sets feel easy with clean form, add the smallest weight step next session. If a set breaks down, keep the weight and own the reps first. Musclo does this for you: it suggests the next weight from your last session.
FAQ
What muscles does the lateral raise work?
The lateral raise mainly works your shoulders. Makes your shoulders look wider. Light weight, slow reps.
How many reps should a beginner do?
Start with 3 sets of 12–15 reps, resting about 60 seconds between sets. Add weight or time only when every set looks clean.
How much weight should I use for the lateral raise?
Start with 2 × 4 kg. Lighter than you think.
What are the most common lateral raise mistakes?
Going higher than your shoulders. Swinging your body. Shrugging your shoulders up. Fix them by slowing down and using a lighter weight first.
Can an app check my lateral raise form?
Yes. Musclo's live form check watches your lateral raise through your iPhone camera, counts clean reps and tells you what to fix. It runs on the phone, so no video is uploaded.
Chest press machine
Dumbbell bench press
Dumbbell shoulder press