How to do the Seated Dumbbell Lateral Raise
- Sit on a bench, holding a dumbbell in each hand by your sides.
- Keep a slight bend in your elbows as you start the movement.
- Lift your arms out to the sides, keeping your wrists below your elbows.
- Lower the dumbbells back down slowly and controlled.
Full technique — 6 steps
- Sit tall on a flat bench with feet planted and a dumbbell hanging at each side.
- Set your shoulders down and keep a slight bend in your elbows.
- Start with palms facing inward and dumbbells slightly off your thighs.
- Raise both arms out to your sides, keeping your wrists below your elbows.
- Lift until your upper arms reach about shoulder height without shrugging upward.
- Lower the dumbbells back to your sides along the same path.
Common mistakes
- Shrugging into the top
- Swinging the dumbbells upward
- Turning it into a press
- Bending elbows more as fatigue builds
- Raising well above shoulder height
Form cues
- Keep wrists below elbows
- Keep shoulders down
- Stop at shoulder height
- Use the seated position
