Side Laterals to Front Raise

Also called lateral to front raise, side to front raise and lateral front raise combo.

Works

Shoulders, plus traps

Equipment

Dumbbells

Level

Beginner

Type

Isolation

How to do it

Setup. In a standing position, hold a pair of dumbbells at your side. This will be your starting position.

1. Keeping your elbows slightly bent, raise the weights directly in front of you to shoulder height, avoiding any swinging or cheating.
2. At the top of the exercise move the weights out in front of you, keeping your arms extended.
3. Lower the weights with a controlled motion.
4. On the next repetition, raise the weights in front of you to shoulder height before moving the weights laterally to your sides.
5. Lower the weights to the starting position.

Cues

• Light dumbbells, elbows soft.
• Raise to shoulder height.
• Alternate front and side each rep.
• Lower slowly, no swinging.

Common mistakes

• Swinging.
• Shrugging.

Where to start

A starting point, not a law. Pick a weight you could lift two or three more times than the top of the range. Tempo is seconds down, pause, up. When every set hits the top of the range, add a little weight.

Go easy, or pick an alternative, if you have a sore shoulder. Pain that's sharp or gets worse set to set means stop.

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