Exercise Guide

Machine Lateral Raise

The seated lateral raise machine. The pads keep resistance on the side delt through the whole arc, where dumbbells go nearly weightless at the bottom.

BeginnerStrengthPullIsolation
Form
Machine Lateral Raise - Start position
Start
Machine Lateral Raise - Mid position
Mid
Machine Lateral Raise - End position
End

Illustrations by Bryl Lim for Workout Guide, after Everkinetic. Used unchanged under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Details

Primary Muscle

Shoulders

Equipment

Machine

Difficulty

Beginner

Category

Strength

Force

Pull

Mechanic

Isolation

Secondary Muscles

Traps
How to Perform
  1. 1

    Set the seat so the pivot points sit level with your shoulder joints.

  2. 2

    Sit upright with your upper arms against the pads and your hands resting on the grips.

  3. 3

    Drive your elbows out and up until your upper arms are roughly level with your shoulders.

  4. 4

    Lower slowly, resisting the pads all the way back down.

Tips
  • Lead with the elbows, not the hands - pushing with the hands recruits the traps.
  • Stop at shoulder height; going higher hands the work to the upper traps.
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