How to do a Lateral Raise
The lateral raise isolates the side deltoids by lifting the arms out to the sides. Good form leads with the elbows, keeps a slight bend, and stops at shoulder height. CalmArms catches swinging and over-raising, and counts every clean rep automatically.
Muscles: Lateral Deltoids · Upper Trapezius
Demonstration: Standing Lateral Raise
How to do it with clean form
- 1
Stand with a slight bend in your elbows, weights at your sides.
- 2
Raise your arms out to the sides, leading with your elbows.
- 3
Stop at shoulder height — no higher — with wrists level with elbows.
- 4
Lower slowly under control; resist letting the weights drop.
Common lateral raise mistakes CalmArms catches
Swinging or using momentum to fling the weights up.
Raising above shoulder height and shrugging the traps.
Straightening the arms into a front raise path.
Dropping the weights fast instead of controlling the descent.
How CalmArms grades the lateral raise
CalmArms uses a tight rep-detection threshold on the lateral raise and rewards controlled tempo, so momentum reps read as lower quality.
Variations graded
Grade your lateral raise on your next set.
Prop your phone and lift. CalmArms counts every rep and grades your form A–F, hands-free — on-device, no video uploaded.