DB Lateral Raises, single or both hands

[WILLGETNICE]

Are there any benefits of doing lateral raises with one arm at a time rather than both arms at once? The only one I could think of was a larger range of motion but I was wondering if there were any other benefits or if one was better than the other. Thanks.

[BG5150]

My thought: If you do both at once, you lose the potential to lean to one side, thus creating a little bit of momentum. I've always like doing them together.

And how could you get a larger ROM? You're only bring the BD's up to the shoulder level anyway, right?

[Chizniz16]

I do 10 reps with both hands to the side and up the shoulders. Without stoping I go right into 10 reps of side laterals with each arms, one at a time. I stuggle with it enough as it is, I dont think I'm losing anything doing left arm and right arm in rotation.

[Dedicated]

I have been doing them one arm at a time.

[PhilsterT]

Oh crap!? Jus to the shoulders? I go like 45 degress out past the shoulders. Like, halfway between having them both touching at the top (pointing straight up) and having them at shoulder width. Is this wrong?

[smalls]

I have been doing them one arm at a time.


I find I can use more wieght with better form when using one arm at a time. Much better IMO.

[1r15h]

Im sure in 'pumping iron' the movie/docu Arnies front lat raises went very high >45 degrees above shoulder level? I was wonering if this was beneficial or an outdated training tecnique? seeing as we're still on the topic I thought it might be relevant

[Geeper]

Oh crap!? Jus to the shoulders? I go like 45 degress out past the shoulders. Like, halfway between having them both touching at the top (pointing straight up) and having them at shoulder width. Is this wrong?

I believe raising them past the shoulders puts stress on your rotator cuff, (which you don't want to mess up!!) and brings other muscles like you traps into the lift.

[bigpoppapump979]

i feel it in my traps no matter how low i keep it

[ericg]

I believe raising them past the shoulders puts stress on your rotator cuff, (which you don't want to mess up!!) and brings other muscles like you traps into the lift.

Ive had problems with my shoulder/RC so i just up until my arms are parallel to the floor. If i go any higher it bothers my right shoulder, not cool.

[bigsethmeister]

i do both arms simultaneously and i only go as high as parallel to the floor as described by eric g above.

[WILLGETNICE]

The range of motion I was actually talking about was at the bottom of the movement, for example when using your right arm, bringing it all the way over so its in front of your left leg.

[twm]

I prefer 1 arm at a time to 10-20 degrees past shoulder level.

Front raises beyond a certain point seem to involve a point of diminishing returns.. once you get past a certain point, it feels like the weight isn't doing anything anymore.

[KevinStarke]

im a 1 at a time kind of guy, i bring them up so they my arm is straight out and hold it for a second then come down slowly.

[SW]

Are there any benefits of doing lateral raises with one arm at a time rather than both arms at once?

I heard you learn to fly faster with 2 arms. That's about it.

[ddegroff]

I do them both ways. I alternate every so often. I like one arm cause it feels like i can go heavier.

[D Breyer]

i mix it up and do both... i find myself leaning sometimes when i do one shoulder at a time... but i can also do a bit more weight for the same reps... i think its a ton harder doing both shoulders at one time...

[Doobs]

The range of motion I was actually talking about was at the bottom of the movement, for example when using your right arm, bringing it all the way over so its in front of your left leg.
When you bring it down all the way like that your rear delt is not doing any work, and gets a little bit of a break. That part of the ROM is completely useless. It's like clanking the DBs together when you're doing flyes - there's no point and it just makes the lift easier.