Home › Shoulders › Deltoid (Lateral)
Deltoid (Lateral)三角肌中束
Function
The primary abductor of the shoulder (lateral raises) and the key muscle behind the visual width of your shoulders. Also a stabilizing synergist in every overhead press.
Best Exercises & Form Cues
-
Dumbbell Lateral Raise
- Equipment
- Dumbbells
- Sets & Reps
- 4 sets × 12-20 reps · rest 60 s
- How to do it
- Slight elbow bend locked; lead with the elbows up from the thighs to shoulder height (no higher), pinky side slightly up like pouring water; 3-second descent.
- Common mistakes
- Swinging, going above shoulder height (traps take over), shrugging
-
Barbell Upright Row
- Equipment
- Barbell (mid grip)
- Sets & Reps
- 3 sets × 10-12 reps · rest 90 s
- How to do it
- Grip shoulder-width; pull the bar up the body until the elbows are just above the hands; stop at chest height; lower under control.
- Common mistakes
- Pulling too high (impingement risk), wrists flicking outward, swinging the bar with the low back
-
Cable Lateral Raise
- Equipment
- Cable station + single handle
- Sets & Reps
- 3-4 sets × 12-15 reps per side · rest 60 s
- How to do it
- Pulley low; lean slightly forward (about 10°); lead with the elbows out and up to shoulder height, pinky side slightly high at the top; 3-second negative.
- Common mistakes
- Raising above the shoulder (traps take over), side-bending the torso to cheat, partial range
-
Dumbbell Shoulder Press
- Equipment
- Dumbbells (seated/standing)
- Sets & Reps
- 3-4 sets × 8-12 reps · rest 90 s
- How to do it
- Dumbbells at the shoulders, palms forward and slightly in; press until they nearly touch (no clashing), lower until upper arms are just below horizontal.
- Common mistakes
- Descending too deep (shoulder impingement), lower back arching, clashing the dumbbells and losing tension
Stretching & Recovery
- Cross-arm chest stretch
- Behind-neck elbow-pull side bend
Other muscles in the Shoulders
Deltoid (Anterior) · Subscapularis · Deltoid (Posterior) · Infraspinatus · Teres Minor
Explore the Deltoid (Lateral) in the 3D anatomy tool →