Shoulder Workout: Standing Dumbbell
Lateral Raise

Lateral raises are great shoulder workouts that help build, tone and define your medial deltoids.

To perform this move:

• Stand with your feet together or about shoulder width apart.
  
• Grasp a suitable sized dumbbell in each hand.
  
• Allow your arms to drop in front of the body and let your palms face each other (dumbbells almost touching one another).
  
• Keeping your back straight, inhale and slowly raise your arms to a horizontal position so that your upper arms are parallel to the floor, your elbows slightly bent.
  
• As you exhale, bring your arms back down to the starting position and repeat.

TIP: Remember, do not swing your arms upwards to create a force, rather focus on using your shoulder muscles (deltoids) to bring your arms upwards.

This move can be performed either sitting or standing. If you have trouble controlling the alignment of your back during this exercise, perform the move on a bench where the back has been lifted straight up (like a chair) and lean your back against the cushioning of the bench for extra support.

Model performs the contracting section of a standing dumbbell lateral raise

Author: Dimi Ingle
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