Shoulders shrug during the raise
Upper traps elevate; medial delt is underloaded.
Overactive muscles
Upper trapeziusLevator scapulae
Corrective work
Foam RollUpper traps↗StretchLevator scapulae stretch↗Push · Upper Body
Lateral Raise Machine
Coaching cues
- Sit tall; arms at sides; pad just above the elbows
- Raise to shoulder height — lead with the elbows, not the hands
- Pause at shoulder height; lower slowly under machine resistance
- Machine provides resistance through the bottom where dumbbells are weakest
Common faults 2
Arms raise above shoulder height
Upper trap takes over above the shoulder plane; impingement risk increases.
Overactive muscles
Upper trapeziusLevator scapulae
Corrective work
Foam RollUpper traps↗StretchLevator scapulae stretch↗