Dumbbell Lateral Raise vs Reverse Cable Fly

Which one fits your Shoulder workout plan?

Contents

Planfit users log Dumbbell Lateral Raise more often — 54,896 sessions vs 1,771. Compare Shoulder form, muscles worked, and when to use each.

Compare the benefits of Dumbbell Lateral Raise and Reverse Cable Fly and pick the one that fits your Shoulder workout.

Dumbbell Lateral Raise vs Reverse Cable Fly: 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 1,771 for Reverse Cable Fly.

What most people do isn't always what fits you. Dumbbell Lateral Raise and Reverse Cable Fly 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 Reverse Cable Fly Differ

What differsDumbbell Lateral RaiseReverse Cable Fly
Muscles workedside deltsrear delts and traps
Equipmenta dumbbella machine
Difficulty2 of 55 of 5
Sessions logged by Planfit users54,896 sessions1,771 sessions

Related comparisons

Not sure whether Dumbbell Lateral Raise or Reverse Cable Fly fits your goal? Get a personalized plan

How to Do Dumbbell Lateral Raise

Dumbbell Lateral Raise demo video

Dumbbell Lateral Raise Muscles Worked: Shoulder

Form

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

Coach's Tips

  1. 1. Please be careful not to lift the dumbbells higher than shoulder height.
  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 Dumbbell Lateral Raise guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Dumbbell Lateral Raise exercise guide.

Want to learn more about Dumbbell Lateral Raise?Exercise Guide

How to Do Reverse Cable Fly

Reverse Cable Fly demo video

Reverse Cable Fly Muscles Worked: Shoulder

Form

  1. 1. Pull the grip to bring your arms beside your body.
  2. 2. Slowly return to the starting position.

Coach's Tips

  1. If you excessively fold your wings, the trapezius muscle will be used instead of the rear shoulder, so please be careful.

For a full Reverse Cable Fly guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Reverse Cable Fly exercise guide.

Want to learn more about Reverse Cable Fly?Exercise Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for Shoulder, Dumbbell Lateral Raise or Reverse Cable Fly?

Planfit users log Dumbbell Lateral Raise more often — 54,896 sessions against 1,771 for Reverse Cable Fly. 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 Reverse Cable Fly work the same muscles?

Not quite. Dumbbell Lateral Raise loads side delts, and Reverse Cable Fly loads rear delts and traps.

What equipment do Dumbbell Lateral Raise and Reverse Cable Fly need?

Dumbbell Lateral Raise needs a dumbbell, and Reverse Cable Fly needs a machine.

Which is easier to start with?

Dumbbell Lateral Raise is the easier place to start. Move to Reverse Cable Fly once your form holds up.

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