We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Fitness

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What are Side Lateral Raises?

By D. Messmer
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 7,820
Share

Side lateral raises are exercises that involve raising a set of dumbbells from the athlete's side to a position level with the shoulders while keeping the arms straight. Side lateral raises primarily benefit the shoulder muscles but also work out the biceps and triceps. They do not require much equipment and, compared to a lot of free weight exercises, an athlete can perform them with correct form rather easily as long as he or she does not try to lift too much weight.

To perform side lateral raises, an athlete should start in an upright, standing position with the feet shoulder width apart. The athlete's arms should be straight at his or her side, and he or she should be holding dumbbells of equal weight in each hand. The amount of weight will vary depending on the strength of the athlete, but the amount of weight usually will be less than an athlete would use for an arm curl, because the specific shoulder muscles used in side lateral raises are not as strong as the biceps.

From this starting position, the athlete should begin to raise both arms away from the body while slowly exhaling. At this point, there should be a slight bend in the elbow. The wrists should have a slight bend forward, with the thumb angling away from the body just slightly. The athlete then continues to raise the weights until the arm is parallel with the floor.

When the arms have reached their highest point, they should combine with the body to create the shape of the letter "T". The athlete should hold this position for a slight pause before slowly lowering the weights back to the starting position while gently inhaling. The athlete can then repeat the process for as many repetitions as he or she desires.

While performing side lateral raises there are a few key aspects of proper form that the athlete should keep in mind. First, it is important to keep the back straight and the head up. Also, though the elbow should have a slight bend, the athlete should be sure not to bend it too much, because this will reduce the effectiveness of the exercise. Finally, the athlete should make sure not to use momentum to perform the lift; all of the lift should come from the action of the shoulder muscles. Some athletes find that it is easier to maintain proper form when performing side lateral raises while seated in a chair.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-are-side-lateral-raises.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.