How to Do Lateral Raises More Safely to Build Up Your Shoulders

ARTICLE How to Do Lateral Raises More Safely to Build Up Your Shoulders Products Mentioned SMRTFT Nüobell 80lb Dumbbells

Lateral raises help to beef up your shoulders, but can also destroy them if you don’t do the exercise properly. 

Men’s Health fitness director Ebenezer Samuel, C.S.C.S. and fitness pro Jonathan Chadwell, show us the right way to get it done.

For optimal muscle growth and joint safety, make the little change-up of doing your lateral raise slightly in front of you and protect your shoulders to boot. “The one thing you'll notice is that he's very, very careful with his positioning. He's got his elbows slightly in front of his shoulders as he's raising—that's helping to protect his shoulders,” Samuel says, noting that Chadwell is also focusing on keeping the position of his shoulder joints in something called external rotation, which gives your rotator cuffs more space to move.

Get The Gear You Need

The only equipment you need for lateral raises is a pair of dumbbells or adjustable dumbbells. -- SMRTFT Nüobell 80lb Dumbbells