Face Pull vs Cable Lateral Raise
Which one fits your Shoulder workout plan?
Contents
Face Pull 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 Face Pull and Cable Lateral Raise and pick the one that fits your Shoulder workout.
Face Pull vs Cable Lateral Raise: Which Do Planfit Users Choose?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Face Pull more often — 12,306 sessions compared to 4,441 for Cable Lateral Raise.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Face Pull 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 Face Pull and Cable Lateral Raise Differ
| What differs | Face Pull | Cable Lateral Raise |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | rear delts, biceps, and traps | side delts |
| One side at a time | No | Yes |
| Difficulty | 2 of 5 | 2 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 12,306 sessions | 4,441 sessions |
How to Do Face Pull
Face Pull Muscles Worked: Shoulder
Form
- 1. Please pull the grip up towards your ear.
- 2. When pulling, make sure not to excessively fold your scapula.
- 3. Slowly return to the starting position.
Coach's Tips
- If you excessively fold your wings, the trapezius muscle will be used instead of the rear shoulder, so please be careful.
For a full Face Pull guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Face Pull 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, Face Pull or Cable Lateral Raise?
Planfit users log Face Pull more often — 12,306 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 Face Pull and Cable Lateral Raise work the same muscles?
Not quite. Face Pull loads rear delts, biceps, and traps, and Cable Lateral Raise loads side delts.
What equipment do Face Pull and Cable Lateral Raise need?
Face Pull needs a machine, and Cable Lateral Raise needs a machine.
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