Machine lateral raise

Lateral raise machine

Also called lateral raise machine, machine side raise

Sit at a lateral raise machine with the pads against the outer upper arms. Raise the arms out to shoulder height and lower slowly.

Movement

Main movers get full credit for a set, helpers half.

Upper body

Scores 1-5 averaged over sources. Tap a rating for the claims behind it. Claims are our summaries of the linked sources, fact-checked by AI.

Muscle growth higher is better3.5
Very good; among the better picks for the muscle. 2 sources.
- 3/5 B on average; ranges from S for good ones to D for bad ones with poor handles and force curve. Renaissance Periodization, Every Gym Machine Ranked by Exercise Scientists @ 53:59videoExpert opinion2025checked by AI
- 4/5 Smooth, even tension and easy to progress, but arms cannot cross the body so stretch is limited. A tier plus. Jeff Nippard, The Best And Worst Shoulder Exercises @ 7:07videoExpert opinion2024checked by AI
Shoulder stress lower is better2.0
Light; the shoulder tolerates it easily. 1 source.
- 2/5 The top strap holds the hand so you can relax the grip and feel the side delts; he says it checks the shoulder-pain box. Renaissance Periodization, The 10 BEST Gym Machines For Muscle Growth @ 23:32videoExpert opinion2025checked by AI