Cable Seated Lateral Raise

Learn how to do cable seated lateral raise with a clear setup, controlled movement, and a technique you can repeat.

ShouldersCable7 technique steps

See the movement
Cable Seated Lateral Raise: matching illustrations comparing the setup and movement positions
01Set your position02Make the movement

How to do cable seated lateral raise

  1. Stand in the middle of two low pulleys that are opposite to each other and place a flat bench right behind you (in perpendicular fashion to you; the narrow edge of the bench should be the one behind you). Select the weight to be used on each pulley.
  2. Now sit at the edge of the flat bench behind you with your feet placed in front of your knees.
  3. Bend forward while keeping your back flat and rest your torso on the thighs.
  4. Have someone give you the single handles attached to the pulleys. Grasp the left pulley with the right hand and the right pulley with the left after you select your weight. The pulleys should run under your knees and your arms will be extended with palms facing each other and a slight bend at the elbows. This will be the starting position.
  5. While keeping the arms stationary, raise the upper arms to the sides until they are parallel to the floor and at shoulder height. Exhale during the execution of this movement and hold the contraction for a second.
  6. Slowly lower your arms to the starting position as you inhale.
  7. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions. Tip: Maintain upper arms perpendicular to torso and a fixed elbow position (10 degree to 30 degree angle) throughout exercise.
Cable Seated Lateral Raise exercise illustration

Cable Seated Lateral Raise: muscles worked

Primary focus: shoulders. Supporting muscles: Back.

Better reps before more weight.

Start with a version you can control. Record the same setup and range each time. Add reps or a small load increase when you can repeat the movement without changing the technique.

Plan your next set

Frequently asked questions

How do you do cable seated lateral raise?

Stand in the middle of two low pulleys that are opposite to each other and place a flat bench right behind you (in perpendicular fashion to you; the narrow edge of the bench should be the one behind you). Select the weight to be used on each pulley. Now sit at the edge of the flat bench behind you with your feet placed in front of your knees. Bend forward while keeping your back flat and rest your torso on the thighs.

What muscles does cable seated lateral raise work?

Cable Seated Lateral Raise primarily trains the shoulders, with the back contributing. The exact demand depends on your setup, range, and chosen load.

What is the best technique for cable seated lateral raise?

Choose a manageable load and set your shoulder position before moving. Move through a comfortable arc with a steady torso and controlled elbows. Keep the same range each rep; avoid swinging or shrugging to move extra weight.

What can I do instead of cable seated lateral raise?

Related options include Single-Arm Cable Lateral Raise, Cable Rope Rear-Delt Rows, Seated Cable Shoulder Press. These can have different equipment, range, and movement demands. Open the guides below to compare the setups before choosing a replacement.

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