Band Lateral Raise

How to do it

1. Stand on the middle of a resistance band with both feet, hip-width apart.
2. Take an end in each hand with your arms down at your sides.
3. Stand tall with a small fixed bend at the elbows.
4. Raise both arms out to the sides until the hands are level with the shoulders.
5. Stop level rather than continuing upward.
6. Lower under control against the band.

Common mistakes

• Shrugging as the arms rise. Once the shoulders lift toward the ears the upper trapezius has taken over, and a band pulling hardest at the top makes that more tempting.
• Going above shoulder height. Past level the shoulder blade has to rotate for the arm to keep travelling, and it has stopped being a lateral raise.
• Expecting the band's curve to suit the movement. A lateral raise is hardest at the top with a dumbbell and a band makes it harder still there — which is a real difference in where the set fails.
• Letting the band snap the arms down. The lowering half is where the tension remains.

Muscles worked

Primary

• Lateral DeltoidShoulders