How To Do Lateral Raises With Free Weights Video

Build your muscle and increase flexibility with lateral raises. Learn how to do lateral raises with free weights in this exercise video from a fitness instructor.

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Start with 2 to 3 pound weights
Start in kickstand stance
Slight bend in elbow
Raise no higher than shoulder
10 to 15 reps
3 Sets

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Carol Childers has been a physical fitness trainer for twenty three years. She is experienced in yoga, pilates, sports conditioning, core strength training and nutrition. She currently works with clients all over the country.

Lateral raises work the medial lateral aspect of the shoulder. It doesn't take a whole lot of weight to fatigue it. It's a small area. I got a little bit of a heavy one here, 10 pounds. Start out working 2 or 3; work your way up to 5. You're not going to see a whole lot of control over momentum in actually really just using that medial part of the shoulder beyond 15 pounds even in your most indoor bodybuilder. If they're using more weight than 15, they're probably using more of their whole body. But again, it's a about progressive overload, so who knows if you can do it past there? But usually females are not going to get past 10 to 12 pounds. I'm going to work in a kickstand formation. If you want to start with a wide stable base that works for you starting now. This helps keep my core, my center of gravity, in an upright lifted position, shooting that energy to the top of the head, slightly bend in the elbow, and we raise no higher than shoulder height. No sense of doing that because after that exercise is over. That muscle is actually going to shut off there, peak contraction. Again, slightly bend in the elbow. If you choose to keep a straighter arm, don't lock out the elbow joints, still but you're definitely going to have to go lighter on the weight to do that with, otherwise, boom. That really hits it right there, and then you just switch it up and work the other side. I like working unilateral because it really lets me fatigue each side rather than doing bilateral. Bilateral can sometimes be a more time-conducive exercise, 10 to 15 reps, three sets.

How to Do Lateral Raises With Free Weights Video

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