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Bottle-Weight Lateral Raise

Tone shoulders at home! Use water bottles for lateral raises. Simple, effective, and no gym required.

The Bottle-Weight Lateral Raise mainly works the shoulders, with help from the traps and forearms. No equipment needed: it uses just your bodyweight.

Bottle-Weight Lateral Raise demo video 2
Ms. Grey
JustGains_XX
@JustGains_XX

Bottle-Weight Lateral Raise Muscles Worked

Primary

Side Shoulder (lateral deltoid)

Secondary

Upper Traps (trapezius, upper fibers); Mid Traps (trapezius, middle fibers); Top Forearm (wrist extensors); Lower Traps (trapezius, lower fibers)

How to do the Bottle-Weight Lateral Raise

  1. Starting Position:

    • Stand upright with your feet shoulder-width apart.

    • Hold a bottle in each hand, letting your arms hang straight down by your sides.

    • Keep your shoulders relaxed and your back straight. Engage your core for stability.

  2. Movement:

    • Slowly lift both bottles out to the sides. Keep your elbows slightly bent and your palms facing down.

    • Raise your arms until they are parallel to the floor or slightly above shoulder level. Your arms should form a straight line from your shoulders to your hands.

    • Focus on lifting with your shoulders rather than your arms.

  3. Return to Start:

    • Slowly lower the bottles back to the starting position, maintaining control over the movement.

    • Avoid letting the weights drop suddenly; this helps engage the muscles effectively.

  4. Repetitions:

    • Perform 10-15 repetitions for one set.

    • Rest for 30-60 seconds between sets. Aim for 2-3 sets total.

  5. Tips:

    • Keep your movements smooth and controlled.

    • Avoid leaning forward or backward; your torso should remain upright throughout the exercise.

    • If you feel any discomfort in your shoulders or back, stop the exercise and reassess your form. Adjust the weight if necessary.

Bottle-Weight Lateral Raise FAQs

What muscles does the Bottle-Weight Lateral Raise work?

The Bottle-Weight Lateral Raise mainly works the shoulders, with help from the traps and forearms. The main muscles are the lateral deltoid.

What equipment do you need for the Bottle-Weight Lateral Raise?

None. The Bottle-Weight Lateral Raise is a bodyweight exercise, so you can do it anywhere.

What workout day should the Bottle-Weight Lateral Raise go on?

It belongs on push day in a push/pull/legs routine.

What are some Bottle-Weight Lateral Raise variations and alternatives?

Similar exercises include the Bodyweight Single-Arm Lateral Raise, Bottle-Weight Bent-Over Y-Raise, Alternating Bottle-Weight Front Raise and Bottle-Weight Armpit Row.

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