Dumbbell Lateral Raise vs Dumbbell Shrug
Which one fits your Shoulder workout plan?
Contents
Planfit users log Dumbbell Lateral Raise more often — 54,896 sessions vs 1,194. Compare Shoulder form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Compare the benefits of Dumbbell Lateral Raise and Dumbbell Shrug and pick the one that fits your Shoulder workout.
Dumbbell Lateral Raise vs Dumbbell Shrug: Which Do Planfit Users Choose?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Dumbbell Lateral Raise more often — 54,896 sessions compared to 1,194 for Dumbbell Shrug.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Dumbbell Lateral Raise and Dumbbell Shrug differ in the muscles they work, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.
How Dumbbell Lateral Raise and Dumbbell Shrug Differ
| What differs | Dumbbell Lateral Raise | Dumbbell Shrug |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | side delts | traps |
| Difficulty | 2 of 5 | 5 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 54,896 sessions | 1,194 sessions |
How to Do Dumbbell Lateral Raise
Dumbbell Lateral Raise Muscles Worked: Shoulder
Form
- 1. Please slowly lift the dumbbell to shoulder height while keeping your elbows slightly bent.
- 2. Make sure the palms of your hands are facing down towards the floor.
- 3. Slowly lower the dumbbell back to the starting position.
- 4. However, do not lower the dumbbell completely; only lower it until your shoulders are relaxed.
Coach's Tips
- 1. Please be careful not to lift the dumbbells higher than shoulder height.
- 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 Dumbbell Lateral Raise guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Dumbbell Lateral Raise exercise guide.
How to Do Dumbbell Shrug
Dumbbell Shrug Muscles Worked: Shoulder
Form
- 1. Please lift the dumbbell while shrugging your shoulders.
- 2. Slowly return to the starting position.
Coach's Tips
- 1. When lowering the dumbbells, do not just drop them; lower them slowly.
- 2. Please ensure that your neck does not protrude excessively forward.
For a full Dumbbell Shrug guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Dumbbell Shrug exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Shoulder, Dumbbell Lateral Raise or Dumbbell Shrug?
Planfit users log Dumbbell Lateral Raise more often — 54,896 sessions against 1,194 for Dumbbell Shrug. Both train Shoulder, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
Do Dumbbell Lateral Raise and Dumbbell Shrug work the same muscles?
Not quite. Dumbbell Lateral Raise loads side delts, and Dumbbell Shrug loads traps.
What equipment do Dumbbell Lateral Raise and Dumbbell Shrug need?
Dumbbell Lateral Raise needs a dumbbell, and Dumbbell Shrug needs a dumbbell.
Which is easier to start with?
Dumbbell Lateral Raise is the easier place to start. Move to Dumbbell Shrug once your form holds up.
Stop Guessing Which One to Do
AI picks your workouts based on your goals, body type, and experience.
