Alternating Deltoid Raise

What it is

This exercise isolates your shoulder muscles by alternately raising a dumbbell in front and to your side. It primarily targets all heads of the deltoids, which are your main shoulder muscles. This movement helps build definition and strength across your entire shoulder complex.

Technique tips

• Control the weight throughout the movement to prevent swinging.
• Maintain a slight bend in your elbows at all times.
• Exhale as you lift the dumbbell, inhale as you lower it.
• Focus on using your deltoids to lift, not your traps.
• Keep your core engaged to stabilize your torso.

How to track your progress

Log the weight and reps of each set. Straddly turns every set into an estimated one-rep max, so a heavier single and a strong set of eight both count as progress, and it flags a personal record the moment you beat your best.