Leaning Cable Lateral Raise

How to perform the Leaning Cable Lateral Raise

1. Set a low pulley and grip a rack upright with the free hand, then lean your bodyweight away from the machine.
2. The lean extends the loaded range even further than a standing cable raise, keeping tension deep into the bottom stretch.
3. Start with the working arm hanging across the body, the cable already pulling on the side delt.
4. Raise the arm out to the side by leading with the elbow, driving through the fullest possible arc.
5. Stop at roughly shoulder height, keeping the wrist neutral and the trap from shrugging up.
6. Lower slowly against the cable, letting the delt stretch fully at the bottom before the next rep.

Suggested working range: 12–20 reps. Default progression: double progression.

Common mistakes

• •Not leaning far enough, which forfeits the extended loaded range that defines this variant.
• •Pulling on the support arm to help heave the working dumbbell up.
• •Shrugging the trap at the top instead of keeping the delt working.
• •Letting the cable pull the arm down fast rather than resisting the stretch.

Variations & alternatives

Swap in a related movement if equipment, recovery, or progression demands it.