Dumbbell Shoulder Press vs Cable Lateral Raise
Which one fits your Shoulder workout plan?
Contents
Dumbbell Shoulder Press works multiple joints at once, Cable Lateral Raise isolates — difficulty 2 of 5 vs 2. See which fits your Shoulder day.
Compare the benefits of Dumbbell Shoulder Press and Cable Lateral Raise and pick the one that fits your Shoulder workout.
Dumbbell Shoulder Press vs Cable Lateral Raise: Which Do Planfit Users Choose?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Dumbbell Shoulder Press more often — 42,733 sessions compared to 4,441 for Cable Lateral Raise.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Dumbbell Shoulder Press and Cable Lateral Raise differ in the muscles they work, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.
How Dumbbell Shoulder Press and Cable Lateral Raise Differ
| What differs | Dumbbell Shoulder Press | Cable Lateral Raise |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | front delts, side delts, and triceps | side delts |
| Equipment | a dumbbell | a machine |
| One side at a time | No | Yes |
| Difficulty | 2 of 5 | 2 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 42,733 sessions | 4,441 sessions |
How to Do Dumbbell Shoulder Press
Dumbbell Shoulder Press Muscles Worked: Shoulder
Form
- 1. Please lift the dumbbells vertically.
- 2. Please lift them without bringing the dumbbells together, just as they are.
- 3. Slowly return to the starting position.
Coach's Tips
- 1. If you feel pain in your shoulder or hear a 'clicking' sound, position your elbows in front of your body instead of at your sides.
- 2. If the pain continues, lower the dumbbell weight by about 20% or try substituting with a different shoulder exercise.
For a full Dumbbell Shoulder Press guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Dumbbell Shoulder Press exercise guide.
How to Do Cable Lateral Raise
Cable Lateral Raise Muscles Worked: Shoulder
Form
- 1. Slowly lift your arms to shoulder height while keeping your elbows slightly bent.
- 2. Make sure the palms of your hands are facing the floor or towards the front of your body.
- 3. Slowly lower your arms back to the starting position.
- 4. However, do not lower your arms completely; only lower them until your shoulders are relaxed.
Coach's Tips
- 1. Please be careful not to raise your hands higher than shoulder level.
- 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Shoulder, Dumbbell Shoulder Press or Cable Lateral Raise?
Planfit users log Dumbbell Shoulder Press more often — 42,733 sessions against 4,441 for Cable Lateral Raise. Both train Shoulder, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
Do Dumbbell Shoulder Press and Cable Lateral Raise work the same muscles?
Not quite. Dumbbell Shoulder Press loads front delts, side delts, and triceps, and Cable Lateral Raise loads side delts.
What equipment do Dumbbell Shoulder Press and Cable Lateral Raise need?
Dumbbell Shoulder Press needs a dumbbell, and Cable Lateral Raise needs a machine.
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