How to do a dumbbell lateral raise

Setup:

1. Standing position: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, holding a dumbbell in each hand with palms facing your torso.
2. Slight bend: Maintain a slight bend in your elbows and a soft bend in your knees.
3. Proud posture: Keep your chest lifted and your core engaged.

The Lift:

1. Initiate: Keeping your torso upright, raise the dumbbells out to the sides simultaneously until your arms are roughly parallel to the floor.
2. Slight tilt: "Pour from a pitcher" by tilting the front of the dumbbells very slightly upwards. This helps engage the side deltoids more effectively.
3. Squeeze at the top: Briefly hold the top position with your arms nearly parallel to the floor. Focus on your side delts working.
4. Controlled Descent: Slowly lower the dumbbells back to the starting position in a controlled manner, maintaining engagement in your shoulders.
5. Reset: Breathe and prepare for the next repetition.

Tips:

• Isolate the Shoulders: Focus on lifting purely with your shoulders, minimizing swinging or momentum.