Machine Lateral Raise

Start

Finish

similar: Side Lateral Raise

How to do it

Set the seat so the pads sit just above your elbows with the shoulder joint level with the machine's pivot, then push the pads out and up to shoulder height and lower slowly.

Muscles worked

Primary: shoulders · Also works: traps

Equipment

Machines

Common mistakes

• Sitting too low so the arms start above the pivot and the delt works through the wrong arc
• Pushing with the hands rather than driving the elbows into the pads
• Letting the weight stack slam down between reps instead of controlling the return

Variations

• Single-arm machine lateral raise
• Drop set down two plates at failure

Can't do this one? Swap it for

• Seated Dumbbell Lateral Raise
• Cable Lateral Raise
• Dumbbell Lateral Raise

Related exercises

• Standing Overhead Pressshoulders
• Pike Push-Upshoulders
• Dumbbell Lateral Raiseshoulders
• Shoulder Controlled Rotationsshoulders
• Face Pullshoulders
• Cable Lateral Raiseshoulders