Single Arm Cable Lateral Raise

The single arm cable lateral raise solves the problem that makes dumbbell lateral raises frustrating. With a dumbbell, the resistance at the bottom of the movement is close to zero because the weight hangs straight down in line with the arm, and the muscle only starts working properly halfway up. A cable pulls along its own line, and running it behind your back means the lateral deltoid is loaded from the very first degree of the raise. Working one arm at a time also lets you stand square and watch the path, rather than fighting to keep two arms symmetrical. Raise to shoulder height and no higher, since going further hands the work to the trapezius, and lower slowly. The lengthened position under tension at the bottom is exactly what the cable version exists to provide.