Dumbbell Shoulder Press vs Lateral Raise Machine
Which one fits your Shoulder workout plan?
Contents
Dumbbell Shoulder Press works multiple joints at once, Lateral Raise Machine isolates — difficulty 2 of 5 vs 1. See which fits your Shoulder day.
Compare the benefits of Dumbbell Shoulder Press and Lateral Raise Machine and pick the one that fits your Shoulder workout.
Dumbbell Shoulder Press vs Lateral Raise Machine: 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 5,383 for Lateral Raise Machine.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Dumbbell Shoulder Press and Lateral Raise Machine 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 Lateral Raise Machine Differ
| What differs | Dumbbell Shoulder Press | Lateral Raise Machine |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | front delts, side delts, and triceps | side delts |
| Equipment | a dumbbell | a machine |
| Difficulty | 2 of 5 | 1 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 42,733 sessions | 5,383 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 Lateral Raise Machine
Lateral Raise Machine Muscles Worked: Shoulder
Form
- 1. Slowly lift the equipment to shoulder height while keeping your elbows bent.
- 2. Slowly lower it back to the starting position.
- 3. However, do not lower the equipment completely; only lower it until your shoulders are relaxed.
Coach's Tips
- Please be careful not to lift the equipment higher than shoulder height.
For a full Lateral Raise Machine guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Lateral Raise Machine exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Shoulder, Dumbbell Shoulder Press or Lateral Raise Machine?
Planfit users log Dumbbell Shoulder Press more often — 42,733 sessions against 5,383 for Lateral Raise Machine. 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 Lateral Raise Machine work the same muscles?
Not quite. Dumbbell Shoulder Press loads front delts, side delts, and triceps, and Lateral Raise Machine loads side delts.
What equipment do Dumbbell Shoulder Press and Lateral Raise Machine need?
Dumbbell Shoulder Press needs a dumbbell, and Lateral Raise Machine needs a machine.
Which is easier to start with?
Lateral Raise Machine is the easier place to start. Move to Dumbbell Shoulder Press once your form holds up.
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