Side Lateral Raise
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the shoulders, using dumbbells.
Starting position
End position
How to Do Side Lateral Raise
- Pick a couple of dumbbells and stand with a straight torso and the dumbbells by your side at arms length with the palms of the hand facing you. This will be your starting position.
- While maintaining the torso in a stationary position (no swinging), lift the dumbbells to your side with a slight bend on the elbow and the hands slightly tilted forward as if pouring water in a glass. Continue to go up until you arms are parallel to the floor. Exhale as you execute this movement and pause for a second at the top.
- Lower the dumbbells back down slowly to the starting position as you inhale.
- Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Muscles Worked
Alternatives to Side Lateral Raise
10 movements that train the same primary muscle, closest substitutes first — same kind of training, then variations of the movement itself, then a similar difficulty.
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1
Bent Over Low-Pulley Side Lateral
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the shoulders, using a cable machine.
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2
Cable Seated Lateral Raise
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the shoulders, using a cable machine.
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3
Lateral Raise - With Bands
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the shoulders, using a resistance band.
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4
One-Arm Incline Lateral Raise
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the shoulders, using dumbbells.
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5
Seated Side Lateral Raise
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the shoulders, using dumbbells.
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6
Side Laterals to Front Raise
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the shoulders, using dumbbells.
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7
Barbell Incline Shoulder Raise
A beginner compound strength exercise that works the shoulders, using a barbell.
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8
Dumbbell Lying One-Arm Rear Lateral Raise
An intermediate isolation strength exercise that works the shoulders, using dumbbells.
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9
Dumbbell Lying Rear Lateral Raise
An intermediate isolation strength exercise that works the shoulders, using dumbbells.
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10
Front Cable Raise
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the shoulders, using a cable machine.
Frequently Asked Questions
What muscles do side lateral raise work?
Side Lateral Raise primarily works the shoulders.
What equipment do I need for side lateral raise?
Side Lateral Raise uses dumbbells.
Side Lateral Raise: is it suitable for beginners?
Yes. Side Lateral Raise is rated beginner. Movements you can learn in a session, with a low skill floor and a forgiving failure mode.
What can I do instead of side lateral raise?
Bent Over Low-Pulley Side Lateral, Cable Seated Lateral Raise, Lateral Raise - With Bands train the same primary muscles and are listed with 7 more alternatives above.
Can Fitnit count my side lateral raise reps automatically?
Not automatically yet. Fitnit's AI rep counting covers push-ups, squats, dumbbell curls, crunches and pull-ups today; side lateral raise can be logged manually in the app, and tracked movements are added over time.
Photographs and step-by-step instructions from free-exercise-db, a public-domain exercise dataset. Muscle mapping and alternatives by Fitnit.
Track Your Side Lateral Raise with AI
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