How to do it
Lead the upward motion with your elbows to better engage the rear deltoids.
- 1
Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, holding a dumbbell in each hand at your sides.
- 2
Slightly bend your knees and hinge forward at the hips, keeping your back straight.
- 3
With a slight bend in your elbows, raise the dumbbells straight out to your sides until they are in line with your shoulders.
- 4
Pause at the top of the movement, then slowly lower the weights back to the starting position.
- 5
Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Expert tip
Keep your core engaged and avoid using momentum to lift the weights; control is key for targeting the shoulder muscles effectively.
Common mistakes
- ✕Rounding the lower back during the hinge
- ✕Bending the elbows past a slight angle
- ✕Shrugging the shoulders toward your ears