How to Do Single Dumbbell Raise
Start and end of one clean rep of Single Dumbbell Raise.
Quick facts
| Primary muscle | Shoulders |
|---|---|
| Secondary muscles | Forearms, Back |
| Equipment | Dumbbell |
| Category | Strength |
How to perform Single Dumbbell Raise
- With a wide stance, hold a dumbell with both hands, grasping the head of the dumbbell instead of the handle. Your arms should be extended and hanging at the waist. This will be your starting position.
- Raise the weight until it is above shoulder level, keeping your arms extended. Your torso and hips should remain stationary throughout the movement.
- Return to the starting position and repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Muscles worked
- Shoulders (primary): raises and rotates the arms and drives everything overhead.
- Forearms (secondary): controls your grip and keeps the wrist steady under load.
- Back (secondary): pulls the arms down and toward the torso and keeps the spine stable.
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.
- Stop a rep or two short of failure on most sets to keep form clean and recover faster.
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 Single Dumbbell Raise work?
Single Dumbbell Raise mainly works the shoulders, with the forearms, back helping as secondary movers.
What equipment do I need for Single Dumbbell Raise?
Single Dumbbell Raise needs a pair of dumbbells.
How many sets and reps should I do for Single Dumbbell 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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