Dumbbell Scaption

Trains the Lateral Deltoid, Anterior Deltoid and Supraspinatus.

Equipment
Dumbbells
Mechanic
Isolation
Force
Push
Level
Beginner
Dumbbell Scaption: the muscles it trains, from the front. Primary — Lateral Deltoid, Anterior Deltoid and Supraspinatus. Also worked — Upper Trapezius, Middle Trapezius and Lower Trapezius.Dumbbell Scaption: the muscles it trains, from behind. Primary — Lateral Deltoid, Anterior Deltoid and Supraspinatus. Also worked — Upper Trapezius, Middle Trapezius and Lower Trapezius. Lower Trapezius is lifted away in this view to show what lies beneath.
The muscles this trains, front and back. Deeper red is primary.

How to do it

  1. Stand holding a light dumbbell in each hand at your sides, palms facing forward or thumbs up.
  2. Set your feet hip-width apart and stand tall with your stomach braced.
  3. Raise both arms in the plane about thirty degrees forward of straight out to the sides — halfway between a lateral raise and a front raise. This plane matches the way the shoulder blade sits on the ribcage.
  4. Lead with your thumbs pointing upward, keeping a soft bend in the elbows.
  5. Raise to shoulder height, pause briefly, then lower under control.

Common mistakes

Muscles worked

Primary

Secondary