Shoulders
The main muscle group listed for this exercise.
Exercise guide
Side Lateral Raise
Side Lateral Raise is a beginner-friendly shoulder exercise performed with dumbbells. It also involves the arms and back.
Dumbbell
The equipment listed for this variation.
Beginner
The recorded setup and movement complexity.
Shoulders
Side Lateral Raise also involves arms, back.
Strength
Movement pattern: raise. This is an isolation exercise.
Beginner
This level reflects the setup and movement complexity recorded for this exercise.
Instructions
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.
Related workouts
Workout templates that use this exercise.
If you want to see this movement inside a more complete training session, start here.
5-Day Bodybuilding Split
A traditional five-day bodybuilding split for lifters who enjoy focusing on one or two regions per session.
View workoutPush Day Workout
A classic push day for chest, shoulders, and triceps with a balance of compound and accessory work.
View workoutShoulder Workout
A shoulder session built around pressing and higher-rep delt work.
View workoutRelated exercises
More exercises in the same lane.
Use these when you want a similar movement pattern, a different setup, or more exercise options for the same target area.
Bent Over Dumbbell Rear Delt Raise With Head On Bench
Bent Over Dumbbell Rear Delt Raise With Head On Bench is a beginner-friendly shoulder exercise performed with dumbbells. It also involves the arms and back.
View exerciseDumbbell Incline Shoulder Raise
Dumbbell Incline Shoulder Raise is a beginner-friendly shoulder exercise performed with dumbbells. It also involves the arms and back.
View exerciseOne-Arm Incline Lateral Raise
One-Arm Incline Lateral Raise is a beginner-friendly shoulder exercise performed with dumbbells. It also involves the arms and back.
View exerciseSeated Side Lateral Raise
Seated Side Lateral Raise is a beginner-friendly shoulder exercise performed with dumbbells. It also involves the arms and back.
View exerciseRelated tools
Related calculators for this exercise.
Use these calculators when you want to connect the exercise itself to calories, protein, strength targets, or training volume.
FAQ
Common questions about Side Lateral Raise.
What muscles does Side Lateral Raise work?
Side Lateral Raise primarily trains the shoulders and also involves the arms and back.
Is Side Lateral Raise beginner-friendly?
Yes. It is listed as beginner-friendly.
What equipment do I need for Side Lateral Raise?
This variation uses dumbbells.
Track this exercise for free in Logbook.
Once the movement is in your plan, use Logbook to record sets, reps, load, and progress without guessing what happened last week.