Cable Lateral Raise vs Behind Neck Press

Which one fits your Shoulder workout plan?

Contents

Planfit users log Cable Lateral Raise more often — 4,440 sessions vs 466. Compare Shoulder form, muscles worked, and when to use each.

Compare the benefits of Cable Lateral Raise and Behind Neck Press and pick the one that fits your Shoulder workout.

Cable Lateral Raise vs Behind Neck Press: Which Do Planfit Users Choose?

Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Cable Lateral Raise more often — 4,440 sessions compared to 466 for Behind Neck Press.

What most people do isn't always what fits you. Cable Lateral Raise and Behind Neck Press differ in the muscles they work, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.

How Cable Lateral Raise and Behind Neck Press Differ

What differsCable Lateral RaiseBehind Neck Press
Muscles workedside deltsfront delts, side delts, and triceps
Equipmenta machinea barbell
One side at a timeYesNo
Difficulty2 of 55 of 5
Sessions logged by Planfit users4,440 sessions466 sessions

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How to Do Cable Lateral Raise

Cable Lateral Raise demo video

Cable Lateral Raise Muscles Worked: Shoulder

Form

  1. 1. Slowly lift your arms to shoulder height while keeping your elbows slightly bent.
  2. 2. Make sure the palms of your hands are facing the floor or towards the front of your body.
  3. 3. Slowly lower your arms back to the starting position.
  4. 4. However, do not lower your arms completely; only lower them until your shoulders are relaxed.

Coach's Tips

  1. 1. Please be careful not to raise your hands higher than shoulder level.
  2. 2. If your palms are facing behind your body, it may cause shoulder pain, so please keep them facing the floor or in front of your body.

For a full Cable Lateral Raise guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Cable Lateral Raise exercise guide.

Want to learn more about Cable Lateral Raise?Exercise Guide

How to Do Behind Neck Press

Behind Neck Press demo video

Behind Neck Press Muscles Worked: Shoulder

Form

  1. 1. Please lift the barbell above your head.
  2. 2. Slowly return to the starting position.

Coach's Tips

  1. Since this exercise can put strain on the shoulders, if you hear sounds or feel pain in your shoulders, please substitute it with another exercise.

For a full Behind Neck Press guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Behind Neck Press exercise guide.

Want to learn more about Behind Neck Press?Exercise Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for Shoulder, Cable Lateral Raise or Behind Neck Press?

Planfit users log Cable Lateral Raise more often — 4,440 sessions against 466 for Behind Neck Press. Both train Shoulder, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.

Do Cable Lateral Raise and Behind Neck Press work the same muscles?

Not quite. Cable Lateral Raise loads side delts, and Behind Neck Press loads front delts, side delts, and triceps.

What equipment do Cable Lateral Raise and Behind Neck Press need?

Cable Lateral Raise needs a machine, and Behind Neck Press needs a barbell.

Which is easier to start with?

Cable Lateral Raise is the easier place to start. Move to Behind Neck Press once your form holds up.

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