How to do a Dumbbell Lateral Raise
- Stand with a dumbbell in each hand at your sides, a slight bend in your elbows.
- Lean forward a touch and brace your core.
- Raise your arms out to the sides, leading with your elbows, up to shoulder height.
- Pause briefly, then lower slowly back to your sides.
- Keep it controlled and avoid shrugging or swinging the weights up.
Keep in mind
- Lead with the elbows, not with the hands.
- Stop at shoulder height — higher does not do more.
- Keep a soft bend in the elbows the whole way.
- Lower slowly; the way down is half of the exercise.
Common mistakes
- Swinging the weights up with a hip drive — use a lighter pair.
- Shrugging as you lift — keep the shoulders down, away from your ears.
- Rising above shoulder height — stop at the line.
Breathing
Breathe out as you raise, in as you lower.
Take care
This is a small-muscle exercise — light weights and clean form beat heavy weights and momentum every time.
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