Leaning Lateral Raise

The leaning lateral raise holds a bench with one hand and leans the body away from the working arm, which changes where the resistance bites. In a standing lateral raise the dumbbell hangs in line with the torso and offers almost nothing at the bottom, so the lateral deltoid only starts working properly once the arm is halfway up. Leaning across shifts the arm's hanging position relative to gravity, and the deltoid is loaded from the very first degree of the raise. The result is a longer working range from the same dumbbell. Working one arm at a time also removes any temptation to use the legs, since one hand is occupied holding the bench. Raise to shoulder height, no further, and lower slowly rather than letting the arm drop back to the start.