{"id":46609,"date":"2022-10-04T01:16:48","date_gmt":"2022-10-04T01:16:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/?p=46609"},"modified":"2024-12-16T08:35:01","modified_gmt":"2024-12-16T08:35:01","slug":"what-do-lateral-raises-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/what-do-lateral-raises-work\/","title":{"rendered":"What Do Lateral Raises Work? How This Exercise Can Benefit Your Workout Routine"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_75 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/what-do-lateral-raises-work\/#Do_Lateral_Raises_Build_Shoulders\" >Do Lateral Raises Build Shoulders?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/what-do-lateral-raises-work\/#Mistakes_To_Avoid_When_Doing_Lateral_Raises\" >Mistakes To Avoid When Doing Lateral Raises<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/what-do-lateral-raises-work\/#Choosing_A_Heavy_Weight\" >Choosing A Heavy Weight<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/what-do-lateral-raises-work\/#Swinging_The_Dumbbells\" >Swinging The Dumbbells<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/what-do-lateral-raises-work\/#Lifting_The_Weights_Too_High\" >Lifting The Weights Too High<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/what-do-lateral-raises-work\/#Dropping_Your_Head_Forward\" >Dropping Your Head Forward<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/what-do-lateral-raises-work\/#Lateral_Raise_Variations\" >Lateral Raise Variations<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/what-do-lateral-raises-work\/#Seated_Lateral_Raise\" >Seated Lateral Raise<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/what-do-lateral-raises-work\/#Bent-Over_Lateral_Raise\" >Bent-Over Lateral Raise<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/what-do-lateral-raises-work\/#Scaption_Raise\" >Scaption Raise<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/what-do-lateral-raises-work\/#Partial_Side_Raise\" >Partial Side Raise<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/what-do-lateral-raises-work\/#What_Are_Lateral_Raises_Good_For\" >What Are Lateral Raises Good For?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/what-do-lateral-raises-work\/#Posture_Improvement\" >Posture Improvement<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/what-do-lateral-raises-work\/#Injury_Prevention\" >Injury Prevention<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/what-do-lateral-raises-work\/#Improved_Joint_Health\" >Improved Joint Health<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/what-do-lateral-raises-work\/#Improved_Coordination\" >Improved Coordination<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/what-do-lateral-raises-work\/#Improved_Athletic_Performance\" >Improved Athletic Performance<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/what-do-lateral-raises-work\/#Improve_Body_Composition\" >Improve Body Composition<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/what-do-lateral-raises-work\/#Increase_Energy\" >Increase Energy<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/what-do-lateral-raises-work\/#Improve_Mood\" >Improve Mood<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/what-do-lateral-raises-work\/#The_Bottom_Line\" >The Bottom Line<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The shoulder muscle is made up of 3 main muscles- the anterior (front) deltoid, the lateral (side) deltoid, and the posterior (rear) deltoid. The deltoids attach to the clavicle (collarbone) and scapula (shoulder blade) and insert into the humerus (upper arm bone) (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK537056\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All of these muscles work together to raise the arm. However, the lateral deltoid is responsible for raising the arm out to the side (hence its name). <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lateral raises are a great exercise for targeting the lateral deltoid. This exercise can be done with dumbbells, resistance bands, or even just bodyweight.\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This article will discuss how lateral raises work, what muscles they target, and the benefits of this exercise. We\u2019ll also provide a step-by-step guide on how to properly perform lateral raises.<\/span><\/p>\n\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_Lateral_Raises_Build_Shoulders\"><\/span><strong>Do Lateral Raises Build Shoulders?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lateral raises are one of the best isolation exercises for the shoulder; a complex and flexible joint that is responsible for a wide range of motion.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The deltoid muscle is the primary muscle worked during <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/skinny-fat-body-type\/\">lateral raises<\/a>. This large, triangular muscle covers the shoulder joint and is responsible for lifting the arm away from the body.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lateral raises also work the trapezius, a large muscle extending from the base of the neck to the middle of the back. The trapezius helps to stabilize and move the shoulder blades.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The rotator cuff muscles are also worked during lateral raises. These small muscles surround the shoulder joint and help to keep the head of the humerus (upper arm bone) in place (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.masterclass.com\/articles\/lateral-raise-guide\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">6<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here\u2019s a quick step-by-step guide on how to perform lateral raises:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Start by standing tall with your feet hip-width apart and your knees slightly bent.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hold a dumbbell in each hand at arm\u2019s length by your sides, with your palms facing in toward your thighs.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Without moving your lower body, raise your arms out to the sides until they\u2019re parallel with the ground.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pause for a count of two, then slowly lower your arms back to the starting position.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Repeat for the desired number of reps.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><b><i>Read More: <\/i><\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/4-day-workout-routine\/\"><i>4-Day Workout Routine For Beginners Looking To Grow Muscle<\/i><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2273&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=What_Do_Lateral_Raises_Work\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-38860 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Frame-5182-1024x576.png\" alt=\"what do lateral raises work\" width=\"770\" height=\"433\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Frame-5182.png 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Frame-5182-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Frame-5182.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Frame-5182.png 1344w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Mistakes_To_Avoid_When_Doing_Lateral_Raises\"><\/span><strong>Mistakes To Avoid When Doing Lateral Raises<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are a few common mistakes people make when performing lateral raises. Avoid these errors to get the most out of this exercise:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Choosing_A_Heavy_Weight\"><\/span><strong>Choosing A Heavy Weight<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The most common mistake that even experienced lifters do is to choose the <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/shoulder-exercises-for-women\/\">same weight<\/a> they use for a dumbbell press or other overhead pressing movement.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But because lateral raises are a much more isolated movement, you should be using significantly less weight than you would for a pressing exercise.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While performing the dumbbell press, for example, you engage the bigger muscles of the chest, front deltoids, and triceps to help push the weight overhead. This means you&#8217;re able to take on a heavier load.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On the other hand, during lateral raises, these muscles aren&#8217;t used to the <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/hourglass-figure-diet\/\">same extent<\/a>. You&#8217;re relying on the comparatively smaller lateral deltoids to move the weight, so you should go lighter than you think.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you can&#8217;t control the dumbbells and keep them level with each other throughout the entire range of motion, then the weight is too heavy. Go down in weight until you can maintain good form throughout the exercise.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You&#8217;re at a higher risk of injury if you use too much weight and your form starts to suffer.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Swinging_The_Dumbbells\"><\/span><strong>Swinging The Dumbbells<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another common mistake people make is swinging the dumbbells up to the top <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/tricep-cable-workouts\/\">position<\/a>. This not only takes away from the effectiveness of the exercise but also puts you at risk of injuring your lower back.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you swing the weights, you&#8217;re using momentum rather than muscle power to move them. This means you&#8217;re not effectively working the muscles you&#8217;re trying to target.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you find yourself swinging the <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/super-slow-strength-training\/\">dumbbells<\/a>, lower the weight and focus on using your lateral deltoids to lift the weight in a controlled manner.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The key is to use a slow and controlled motion throughout the entire range of motion. The dumbbells should never touch each other, and your arms should remain parallel to the ground at the top of the <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/bikram-yoga-poses\/\">movement<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2273&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=What_Do_Lateral_Raises_Work\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-38837 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Frame-5110-1024x576.png\" alt=\"what do lateral raises work\" width=\"770\" height=\"433\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Frame-5110.png 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Frame-5110-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Frame-5110.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Frame-5110-1636x920.png 1636w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Frame-5110.png 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Lifting_The_Weights_Too_High\"><\/span><strong>Lifting The Weights Too High<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you lift the weights too high, you take the focus off of the lateral deltoids and place it on the front deltoids and traps.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To avoid this, make sure to only raise your arms until they are parallel to the ground. Think of hinging at the elbows rather than moving your arms up and down.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>BetterMe app will provide you with a host of fat-frying fitness routines that\u2019ll scare the extra pounds away and turn your body into a masterpiece! <a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2273&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=What_Do_Lateral_Raises_Work\">Get your life moving in the right direction<\/a> with BetterMe!<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Dropping_Your_Head_Forward\"><\/span><strong>Dropping Your Head Forward<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The correct form for <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/dynamic-balance\/\">lateral raises<\/a> is keeping your head straight and chin up in the air. This activates the right muscles and helps you maintain good form.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you drop your head forward and tuck your chin, you put unnecessary strain on your neck muscles. This can lead to pain and discomfort in the neck and shoulders.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keep your focus on a spot in front of you to help keep your head in the correct position.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Lateral_Raise_Variations\"><\/span><strong>Lateral Raise Variations<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once you&#8217;ve mastered the basic lateral raise, there are a few <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/barbell-workout-plan\/\">variations<\/a> you can try to keep your workouts interesting.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Seated_Lateral_Raise\"><\/span><strong>Seated Lateral Raise<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The seated version of this exercise is a great way to reduce the risk of swinging the dumbbells and using momentum to lift the weight.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to do it:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sit on the edge of a bench with your feet shoulder-width apart and a dumbbell in each hand.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rest your elbows on your knees and keep your palms facing each other.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keeping your head up and shoulders down, lift the dumbbells to the side until your arms are parallel to the ground.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Slowly lower the weights back to the starting position.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Bent-Over_Lateral_Raise\"><\/span><strong>Bent-Over Lateral Raise<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The bent-over lateral raise has you performing the exercise with a slight forward lean. This increases the range of motion and works the muscles through a greater range.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to do it:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and hold a dumbbell in each hand.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hinge forward at the hips and lower your torso until it&#8217;s parallel to the ground.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keeping your head up, raise the dumbbells to the side until your arms are parallel to the ground.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Slowly lower the weights back to the starting position.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2273&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=What_Do_Lateral_Raises_Work\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-38821 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Frame-4455-1024x576.png\" alt=\"what do lateral raises work\" width=\"770\" height=\"433\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Frame-4455.png 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Frame-4455-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Frame-4455.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Frame-4455-1636x920.png 1636w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Frame-4455.png 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Scaption_Raise\"><\/span><strong>Scaption Raise<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The scaption raise puts less stress on the shoulder joints than the traditional lateral raise.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to do it:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and hold a dumbbell in each hand.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Raise your arms out to the side and slightly forward until they&#8217;re at shoulder level. Your arms should be at a 30-degree angle from your body.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Slowly lower the weights back to the starting position.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Partial_Side_Raise\"><\/span><strong>Partial Side Raise<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If doing the full range of movement causes discomfort even with light weights, try doing a partial side raise.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to do it:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and hold a dumbbell in each hand.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keeping your arms close to your sides, raise the dumbbells until they&#8217;re just below your nipple line. This is 50% of the full range of motion.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Slowly lower the weights back to the starting position.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><b><i>Read More: <\/i><\/b><i>Ankle Mobility Exercises, Benefits, And FAQ: Improve Stability For Sports And Life<\/i><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Are_Lateral_Raises_Good_For\"><\/span><strong>What Are Lateral Raises Good For?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lateral raises are an excellent exercise for building strong, muscular shoulders. However, they also offer the following benefits:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Posture_Improvement\"><\/span><strong>Posture Improvement<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Spending hours hunched over a computer can lead to rounded shoulders and poor posture (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2076-3417\/12\/7\/3333\/htm\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). Lateral raises can help combat this by strengthening the muscles that hold your shoulders in the correct position.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Injury_Prevention\"><\/span><strong>Injury Prevention<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Because the shoulders move in many ways and are involved in so many exercises, they\u2019re susceptible to injury. Strengthening the muscles around the shoulder joint with exercises like lateral raises can help to prevent injuries.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Improved_Joint_Health\"><\/span><strong>Improved Joint Health<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lateral raises help to maintain healthy shoulder joints by strengthening the muscles and connective tissues that support them (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/1660-4601\/17\/17\/6015\/htm\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). This can help to reduce the risk of joint pain and other problems (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/academic.oup.com\/ptj\/article\/88\/6\/703\/2742306\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">7<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2273&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=What_Do_Lateral_Raises_Work\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-38786 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Frame-5706-1024x576.png\" alt=\"what do lateral raises work\" width=\"770\" height=\"433\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Frame-5706.png 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Frame-5706-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Frame-5706.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Frame-5706.png 1344w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Improved_Coordination\"><\/span><strong>Improved Coordination<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lateral raises require coordination between the arms and the trunk. As you get stronger and more proficient at this exercise, your coordination will improve. This carries over to other exercises and activities that require coordination.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Improved_Athletic_Performance\"><\/span><strong>Improved Athletic Performance<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Strong shoulders are important for many sports, such as swimming, tennis, and baseball. Lateral raises can help to improve athletic performance by strengthening the muscles needed for these activities.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Betterme will keep you laser-focused on your weight loss journey! Nutrient-packed meal plans, fat-blasting workouts, galvanizing challenges and much more. <a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2273&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=What_Do_Lateral_Raises_Work\">Try using the app and see for yourself<\/a>!<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Improve_Body_Composition\"><\/span><strong>Improve Body Composition<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lateral raises can help to improve your body composition by building muscle and burning fat. Muscle is more metabolically active than fat, so it helps to boost your metabolism and burn more calories even at rest (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/full\/10.1038\/oby.2009.385\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Increase_Energy\"><\/span><strong>Increase Energy<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As part of a well-rounded fitness routine, lateral raises can help to increase energy levels. Frequent exercise helps to improve cardiovascular health and increase overall fitness, both of which can lead to more energy (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fcvm.2018.00135\/full\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/article\/10.2165\/00007256-200636090-00004\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">9<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Improve_Mood\"><\/span><strong>Improve Mood<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Exercise releases endorphins, which have mood-boosting effects (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fpsyg.2015.01890\/full\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">8<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). As part of a consistent workout routine, lateral raises can help to improve your mood and make you feel better overall.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Bottom_Line\"><\/span><strong>The Bottom Line<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lateral raises are a great exercise for targeting the lateral deltoid and improving overall shoulder strength. This exercise can be done with dumbbells, resistance bands, or even just bodyweight. Give lateral raises a try and see how they can benefit your workout routine!<\/span><\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2273&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=What_Do_Lateral_Raises_Work\" target=\"_blank\"><video autoplay=\"autoplay\" loop=\"loop\" muted=\"muted\" playsinline=\"playsinline\" width=\"777\"><source src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/ezgif.com-gif-to-mp4-2.mp4\" type=\"video\/mp4\" \/><\/video><\/a>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The shoulder muscle is made up of 3 main muscles- the anterior (front) deltoid, the lateral (side) deltoid, and the posterior (rear) deltoid. The deltoids attach to the clavicle (collarbone) and scapula (shoulder blade) and insert into the humerus (upper arm bone) (1). All of these muscles work together to raise the arm. However, the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":46610,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"coauthors":[117],"class_list":["post-46609","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-workouts"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.8 (Yoast SEO v27.8) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>What Do Lateral Raises Work? How This Exercise Can Benefit Your Workout Routine - BetterMe<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"\u2605 WONDERING WHAT MUSCLES DO LATERAL RAISES WORK? \u27a4 This exercise works the lateral deltoid muscles and can help improve overall shoulder strength. Learn how to do a lateral raise.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/what-do-lateral-raises-work\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"What Do Lateral Raises Work? How This Exercise Can Benefit Your Workout Routine\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"\u2605 WONDERING WHAT MUSCLES DO LATERAL RAISES WORK? \u27a4 This exercise works the lateral deltoid muscles and can help improve overall shoulder strength. Learn how to do a lateral raise.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/what-do-lateral-raises-work\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"BetterMe Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/betterme.health.coaching\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:author\" content=\"#\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2024-12-16T08:35:01+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/shutterstock_1305973240-scaled.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2560\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1721\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"ZindzyGracia\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@betterme\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@betterme\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"ZindzyGracia\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"9 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/betterme.world\\\/articles\\\/what-do-lateral-raises-work\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/betterme.world\\\/articles\\\/what-do-lateral-raises-work\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"BetterMe\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/betterme.world\\\/articles\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/f5676083cac481eb625810c37473c649\"},\"headline\":\"What Do Lateral Raises Work? How This Exercise Can Benefit Your Workout Routine\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-12-16T08:35:01+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/betterme.world\\\/articles\\\/what-do-lateral-raises-work\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1693,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/betterme.world\\\/articles\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/betterme.world\\\/articles\\\/what-do-lateral-raises-work\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cdn.betterme.world\\\/articles\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2022\\\/10\\\/shutterstock_1305973240-scaled.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"Workouts\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"articleBody\":\"<span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">The shoulder muscle is made up of 3 main muscles- the anterior (front) deltoid, the lateral (side) deltoid, and the posterior (rear) deltoid. The deltoids attach to the clavicle (collarbone) and scapula (shoulder blade) and insert into the humerus (upper arm bone) (<\\\/span><a href=\\\"https:\\\/\\\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\\\/books\\\/NBK537056\\\/\\\"><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">1<\\\/span><\\\/a><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">). <\\\/span><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">All of these muscles work together to raise the arm. However, the lateral deltoid is responsible for raising the arm out to the side (hence its name). <\\\/span><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Lateral raises are a great exercise for targeting the lateral deltoid. This exercise can be done with dumbbells, resistance bands, or even just bodyweight.\u00a0<\\\/span><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">This article will discuss how lateral raises work, what muscles they target, and the benefits of this exercise. We\u2019ll also provide a step-by-step guide on how to properly perform lateral raises.<\\\/span>\\r\\n\\r\\n\\r\\n<h2 style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><strong>Do Lateral Raises Build Shoulders?<\\\/strong><\\\/h2>\\r\\n<span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Lateral raises are one of the best isolation exercises for the shoulder; a complex and flexible joint that is responsible for a wide range of motion.\u00a0<\\\/span>\\r\\n\\r\\n<span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">The deltoid muscle is the primary muscle worked during <a href=\\\"https:\\\/\\\/betterme.world\\\/articles\\\/skinny-fat-body-type\\\/\\\">lateral raises<\\\/a>. This large, triangular muscle covers the shoulder joint and is responsible for lifting the arm away from the body.<\\\/span>\\r\\n\\r\\n<span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Lateral raises also work the trapezius, a large muscle extending from the base of the neck to the middle of the back. The trapezius helps to stabilize and move the shoulder blades.<\\\/span>\\r\\n\\r\\n<span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">The rotator cuff muscles are also worked during lateral raises. These small muscles surroun ...\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/betterme.world\\\/articles\\\/what-do-lateral-raises-work\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/betterme.world\\\/articles\\\/what-do-lateral-raises-work\\\/\",\"name\":\"What Do Lateral Raises Work? 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How This Exercise Can Benefit Your Workout Routine - BetterMe","description":"\u2605 WONDERING WHAT MUSCLES DO LATERAL RAISES WORK? \u27a4 This exercise works the lateral deltoid muscles and can help improve overall shoulder strength. Learn how to do a lateral raise.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/what-do-lateral-raises-work\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"What Do Lateral Raises Work? How This Exercise Can Benefit Your Workout Routine","og_description":"\u2605 WONDERING WHAT MUSCLES DO LATERAL RAISES WORK? \u27a4 This exercise works the lateral deltoid muscles and can help improve overall shoulder strength. Learn how to do a lateral raise.","og_url":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/what-do-lateral-raises-work\/","og_site_name":"BetterMe Blog","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/betterme.health.coaching","article_author":"#","article_modified_time":"2024-12-16T08:35:01+00:00","og_image":[{"width":2560,"height":1721,"url":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/shutterstock_1305973240-scaled.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"ZindzyGracia","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@betterme","twitter_site":"@betterme","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"ZindzyGracia","Est. reading time":"9 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/what-do-lateral-raises-work\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/what-do-lateral-raises-work\/"},"author":{"name":"BetterMe","@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/#\/schema\/person\/f5676083cac481eb625810c37473c649"},"headline":"What Do Lateral Raises Work? How This Exercise Can Benefit Your Workout Routine","dateModified":"2024-12-16T08:35:01+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/what-do-lateral-raises-work\/"},"wordCount":1693,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/what-do-lateral-raises-work\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/shutterstock_1305973240-scaled.jpg","articleSection":["Workouts"],"inLanguage":"en-US","articleBody":"<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The shoulder muscle is made up of 3 main muscles- the anterior (front) deltoid, the lateral (side) deltoid, and the posterior (rear) deltoid. The deltoids attach to the clavicle (collarbone) and scapula (shoulder blade) and insert into the humerus (upper arm bone) (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK537056\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All of these muscles work together to raise the arm. However, the lateral deltoid is responsible for raising the arm out to the side (hence its name). <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lateral raises are a great exercise for targeting the lateral deltoid. This exercise can be done with dumbbells, resistance bands, or even just bodyweight.\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This article will discuss how lateral raises work, what muscles they target, and the benefits of this exercise. We\u2019ll also provide a step-by-step guide on how to properly perform lateral raises.<\/span>\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Do Lateral Raises Build Shoulders?<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lateral raises are one of the best isolation exercises for the shoulder; a complex and flexible joint that is responsible for a wide range of motion.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The deltoid muscle is the primary muscle worked during <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/skinny-fat-body-type\/\">lateral raises<\/a>. This large, triangular muscle covers the shoulder joint and is responsible for lifting the arm away from the body.<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lateral raises also work the trapezius, a large muscle extending from the base of the neck to the middle of the back. The trapezius helps to stabilize and move the shoulder blades.<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The rotator cuff muscles are also worked during lateral raises. These small muscles surroun ..."},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/what-do-lateral-raises-work\/","url":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/what-do-lateral-raises-work\/","name":"What Do Lateral Raises Work? How This Exercise Can Benefit Your Workout Routine - BetterMe","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/what-do-lateral-raises-work\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/what-do-lateral-raises-work\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/shutterstock_1305973240-scaled.jpg","dateModified":"2024-12-16T08:35:01+00:00","description":"\u2605 WONDERING WHAT MUSCLES DO LATERAL RAISES WORK? \u27a4 This exercise works the lateral deltoid muscles and can help improve overall shoulder strength. 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