Bent Over Lateral Raise vs Behind Neck Press

Which one fits your Shoulder workout plan?

Contents

Planfit users log Bent Over Lateral Raise more often — 17,552 sessions vs 466. Compare Shoulder form, muscles worked, and when to use each.

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

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

Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Bent Over Lateral Raise more often — 17,552 sessions compared to 466 for Behind Neck Press.

What most people do isn't always what fits you. Bent Over 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 Bent Over Lateral Raise and Behind Neck Press Differ

What differsBent Over Lateral RaiseBehind Neck Press
Muscles workedrear delts and trapsfront delts, side delts, and triceps
Equipmenta dumbbella barbell
Difficulty3 of 55 of 5
Sessions logged by Planfit users17,552 sessions466 sessions

Related comparisons

Not sure whether Bent Over Lateral Raise or Behind Neck Press fits your goal? Get a personalized plan

How to Do Bent Over Lateral Raise

Bent Over Lateral Raise demo video

Bent Over Lateral Raise Muscles Worked: Shoulder

Form

  1. 1. Slowly lift the dumbbells to shoulder height while keeping your elbows slightly bent.
  2. 2. With your palms facing down, feel the contraction of the rear shoulder muscles.
  3. 3. Slowly lower the dumbbells back to the starting position.
  4. 4. However, do not lower the dumbbells completely; only lower them until your shoulders are relaxed.

Coach's Tips

  1. Please be careful not to lift the dumbbells higher than shoulder height.

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

Want to learn more about Bent Over 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, Bent Over Lateral Raise or Behind Neck Press?

Planfit users log Bent Over Lateral Raise more often — 17,552 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 Bent Over Lateral Raise and Behind Neck Press work the same muscles?

Not quite. Bent Over Lateral Raise loads rear delts and traps, and Behind Neck Press loads front delts, side delts, and triceps.

What equipment do Bent Over Lateral Raise and Behind Neck Press need?

Bent Over Lateral Raise needs a dumbbell, and Behind Neck Press needs a barbell.

Which is easier to start with?

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

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