Shoulders · 8 substitutes

Lever Lateral Raise alternatives

The best alternative to the Lever Lateral Raise is the Dumbbell Lateral Raise: each arm works on its own, so a stronger side can’t cover for a weaker one, and you get a little more range of motion.

The Lever Lateral Raise is a lateral raise: lifting the arms out to the sides, the one movement that isolates the side delts. Every swap below keeps that movement and the same main muscle, so it can take the Lever Lateral Raise’s place in your workout with the same sets and reps. They’re grouped by the equipment they need.

Lever Lateral Raise alternatives with dumbbells

  • Dumbbell Lateral Raise

    Each arm works on its own, so a stronger side can’t cover for a weaker one, and you get a little more range of motion.

  • Dumbbell Seated Lateral Raise

    Needs only a pair of dumbbells, and each side has to pull its own weight. Here, being supported takes the lower back out of it, so the target muscle can go to failure.

Lever Lateral Raise alternatives with resistance bands

  • Band Y-raise

    Resistance climbs as the band stretches, so the rep is hardest where you’re strongest, and the band fits in a bag.

  • Band Front Lateral Raise

    A band version for home or travel; choke it shorter to make it harder.

Lever Lateral Raise alternatives on a cable machine

  • Cable Lateral Raise

    The cable keeps tension on the muscle through the whole rep, including the end where free weights go slack.

  • Cable One Arm Lateral Raise

    On the cable stack, so the weight changes in small steps and the tension never drops off. Here, working one side at a time lets you fix imbalances and adds core work to stay square.

Lever Lateral Raise alternatives on a machine

  • Lever Lateral Raise Bent

    Uses the same equipment, so it slots straight into your session, but the movement is different enough to give the muscle a new stimulus.

Lever Lateral Raise alternatives with a barbell

How to swap it in

Use the substitute in the same slot, for the same sets and rep range you used on the Lever Lateral Raise. Start a little lighter for the first session while you learn the new movement, then add weight or reps each week. Stick with one swap for a few weeks so you can see whether you’re getting stronger.

Need the original? How to do the Lever Lateral Raise, step by step →

Questions

What is the best alternative to the Lever Lateral Raise?

The Dumbbell Lateral Raise is the closest swap: it’s the same lateral raise and trains the same shoulder. Each arm works on its own, so a stronger side can’t cover for a weaker one, and you get a little more range of motion.

What can I do instead of the Lever Lateral Raise at home?

Band Y-raise, Band Front Lateral Raise, Dumbbell Lateral Raise and Dumbbell Seated Lateral Raise all work with a pair of dumbbells or a band and keep the same movement: lifting the arms out to the sides, the one movement that isolates the side delts.

What muscles should a Lever Lateral Raise alternative work?

The Lever Lateral Raise works your delts, traps and upper back. A good substitute keeps the movement the same, lifting the arms out to the sides, the one movement that isolates the side delts, so the same muscles do the work even if the equipment changes.

Can I replace the Lever Lateral Raise completely?

Yes. Pick one substitute from the list and give it the same sets and rep range, then add weight or reps week to week the way you would have on the Lever Lateral Raise. Switching back and forth every session makes progress harder to see.

Track Lever Lateral Raise in SPLYT

Lever Lateral Raise is already in SPLYT’s exercise library. Log your sets, reps and weight on iPhone or Apple Watch, with last time’s weights already filled in.

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