Are you looking for a new way to target your shoulder muscles? Lateral raises with plates are a great exercise to add to your routine. This exercise is simple but effective, and it can be done with just a few plates from your gym or home gym. In this article, we’ll show you how to do lateral raises with plates and explain why they are so effective for building shoulder strength and size.
What Are Lateral Raises With Plates?
Lateral raises with plates are a variation of the traditional lateral raise exercise. Instead of using dumbbells, you use weight plates to perform the exercise. The movement is the same – you raise your arms out to the sides – but the plates provide a different type of resistance.
How to Do Lateral Raises With Plates
To perform lateral raises with plates, follow these steps:
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and hold a plate in each hand.
- With your arms straight, raise the plates out to your sides until they are parallel to the ground.
- Pause for a moment, then lower the plates back down to your sides.
- Repeat for the desired number of reps.
You can also perform this exercise one arm at a time if you prefer.
Why Lateral Raises With Plates Are Effective
Lateral raises with plates are effective for several reasons:
- Variation: Adding variation to your workout routine is important for avoiding plateaus and keeping your muscles guessing.
- Isolation: Lateral raises with plates isolate the shoulder muscles, making them a great exercise for building definition and size in the shoulders.
- Resistance: Plates provide a different kind of resistance than dumbbells, which can help target different muscles and improve overall strength.
Tips for Performing Lateral Raises With Plates
Here are some tips to help you get the most out of lateral raises with plates:
- Start light: Lateral raises with plates can be more challenging than they look, so start with a lighter weight to ensure proper form.
- Keep your arms straight: Make sure to keep your arms straight throughout the exercise to properly target the shoulder muscles.
- Control the movement: Don’t swing the plates or use momentum to lift them. Instead, focus on controlled movements.
- Breathe: Exhale as you lift the plates and inhale as you lower them.
Incorporating Lateral Raises With Plates Into Your Workout Routine
Lateral raises with plates can be incorporated into your shoulder workout routine in several ways:
- As a warm-up: Start your shoulder workout with a few sets of lateral raises with plates to warm up your shoulder muscles.
- As a finisher: End your shoulder workout with a few sets of lateral raises with plates to really burn out your shoulder muscles.
- As a standalone exercise: If you’re short on time or want to target your shoulder muscles specifically, lateral raises with plates can be a standalone exercise.
Conclusion
Lateral raises with plates are a great exercise to incorporate into your shoulder workout routine. They can help you build shoulder strength and size, while adding variation to your routine. Make sure to start light, keep your arms straight, and control the movement to get the most out of this exercise.