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mechanistic
Analysis v1
Strong Support

Lateral raises work your side shoulder muscles just as well — or even better — than overhead pressing, so they're a great way to build those muscles.

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Pro
0
Against

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (3)

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Community contributions welcome

41

Different Shoulder Exercises Affect the Activation of Deltoid Portions in Resistance-Trained Individuals

Cross-Sectional Study
Human
2020 Oct

The study shows that lifting weights to the side (lateral raises) works the side shoulder muscle just as well as pressing weights overhead.

41

Different Shoulder Exercises Affect the Activation of Deltoid Portions in Resistance-Trained Individuals

Cross-Sectional Study
Human
2020 Oct

The study shows that side raises and shoulder presses work the side shoulder muscle about equally, so side raises are just as good for that muscle.

20

Activation of the three deltoid muscle portions during common strengthening exercises: A systematic review.

Systematic Review
Human
2024 Oct

The study found that side arm raises work the side shoulder muscles more than most other exercises, including overhead presses, so they're likely better for building those muscles.

Contradicting (0)

0

Community contributions welcome

No contradicting evidence found

Gold Standard Evidence Needed

According to GRADE and EBM methodology, here is what ideal scientific evidence would look like to definitively prove or disprove this specific claim, ordered from strongest to weakest evidence.

Similar Assertions

The more you lean back when doing pressing exercises, the more the front of your shoulder muscles do the work instead of your chest — and when you're standing straight up, your front shoulders are working the hardest.

49
0
78%

When you lift weights overhead to the sides, your shoulder side muscles (medial delts) work harder because of how your arms move and your shoulders are built.

35
49
77%

If you're trying to build your shoulder muscles, especially the middle part, doing lateral raises or shoulder presses works way better than bench presses or dumbbell flies — they activate the muscle much more.

41
0
76%

Lifting your arms out to the side or slightly backward, especially with your palms turned down, works your side shoulder muscles the most — this move might be the best way to build stronger shoulders.

20
0
75%

Rotating your shoulders outward when doing overhead presses makes the front shoulder muscle work harder than the side one.

0
0
74%

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