How to Do Seated Bent-Over Rear Delt Raise
Start and end of one clean rep of Seated Bent-Over Rear Delt Raise.
Quick facts
| Primary muscle | Shoulders |
|---|---|
| Secondary muscles | — |
| Equipment | Dumbbell |
| Category | Strength |
How to perform Seated Bent-Over Rear Delt Raise
- Place a couple of dumbbells looking forward in front of a flat bench.
- Sit on the end of the bench with your legs together and the dumbbells behind your calves.
- Bend at the waist while keeping the back straight in order to pick up the dumbbells. The palms of your hands should be facing each other as you pick them. This will be your starting position.
- Keeping your torso forward and stationary, and the arms slightly bent at the elbows, lift the dumbbells straight to the side until both arms are parallel to the floor. Exhale as you lift the weights. (Note: avoid swinging the torso or bringing the arms back as opposed to the side.)
- After a one second contraction at the top, slowly lower the dumbbells back to the starting position.
- Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Muscles worked
- Shoulders (primary): raises and rotates the arms and drives everything overhead.
Sets & reps by goal
| Goal | Sets × reps | Load | Rest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strength | 3–5 × 3–5 | Heavy (~85%+) | 2–3 min |
| Hypertrophy | 3–4 × 8–12 | Moderate (~65–75%) | 60–90 s |
| Endurance | 2–3 × 15–20 | Lighter (~50–60%) | 30–45 s |
Pick the row that matches your goal. If you're newer, anchor in the hypertrophy range while you groove the form.
Form tips
- Keep the ribs down and the glutes tight so the lower back doesn't arch to 'help' the weight up.
- Each side works on its own, so match the depth and speed of both arms and don't let the stronger side take over.
- Treat every rep the same — a repeatable setup and bar path is what lets you add weight safely over time.
- Control the lowering phase — a 2–3 second descent builds more than dropping the weight.
Common mistakes
- Pressing with the lower back arched instead of a braced, stacked torso.
- Letting the dumbbells drift apart or clang together at the top instead of controlling the path.
- Chasing weight jumps before the current load feels solid on every rep.
Frequently asked questions
What muscles does Seated Bent-Over Rear Delt Raise work?
Seated Bent-Over Rear Delt Raise is a focused movement that primarily works the shoulders.
What equipment do I need for Seated Bent-Over Rear Delt Raise?
Seated Bent-Over Rear Delt Raise needs a pair of dumbbells.
How many sets and reps should I do for Seated Bent-Over Rear Delt Raise?
It depends on your goal: about 3–5 sets of 3–5 heavy reps for strength, 3–4 sets of 8–12 for muscle growth, or 2–3 sets of 15–20 for endurance. Pick the row that matches your goal. If you're newer, anchor in the hypertrophy range while you groove the form.
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