Working side delts

[tzan]

When doing them, I only really do one exercise. I do side db raises. My question is what exactly is the best form to use. Do you guys keep your arms straight when bringing them up, or do you guys bend your arms in??Also, how many reps do you guys usually do on these and front db raises?? These are pretty much my only exercise were I keep real strict form and go very slow using pretty light weight for more reps than usual(10-15). If I go heavy on these two exercise I always get bad pain and end up using shitty form. I get a much better burn from lighter weight and more reps. Just wondering if I was alone on this?

 

[FitnessFrk]

the medial head is the meat and potatoes of the shoulder. this is what give the shoulders the most size and width.

I prefer 3 x 8-12 with a slight bend in the elbow. no need to go heavy on these, that's what militarys are for.

 

[gymtime]

I don't think it's necessary to keep your arms perfectly straight for this excercise. A slight bend in the elbow is ok.

As far as weight and reps go, I think you're half right. Lat raises are very often done incorrectly because a lot of guys are too cool to use a proper weight amount. So it's good that you're using good form and not going real heavy. However, I still would not do as many as 15 reps on this. I think you'd benefit more by adding 5, even 2.5 lbs and topping out at 12 reps. This way, you can still watch your form and get the benefits of a little more weight.

 

[Mike P.T.]

i agree with freak and gym on this one and want to add a lil more advice. when doing them make sure your thumbs are not pointed upwards because that slight change in angle while still working the side delts adds alot of the stress to the front delts. make sure they face either parallel or a little bit downward. most guys i see do it the wrong way because u can add more weight. throw your eqo out the window, do them the right way, and the shoulder width will come

 

[mike peters]

My problem from doing db laters is that my traps grow huge instead? WTF!

 

[needsize]

My problem from doing db laters is that my traps grow huge instead? WTF!

If you raise the dumbells higher than shoulder height, your traps begin to take over the load, this could be what you're doing.

 

[Stryc-9]

when doing them make sure your thumbs are not pointed upwards because that slight change in angle while still working the side delts adds alot of the stress to the front delts. make sure they face either parallel or a little bit downward.

Yep! This is great advice....I read somewhere that you should visualize yourself pouring out a jug of water to keep your thumbs pointing downward....

 

[BigDdaGanjalist]

I read somewhere that you should visualize yourself pouring out a jug of water to keep your thumbs pointing downward....

yes! Arnold encyclopedia.

 

[Bigsatan13]

I think that cables isolate the delt better then db's. I incorporate db's in my workout during bulking periods but the cables slice them up nice during leaning up phases.

 

[FitnessFrk]

I almost do the same thing satan, except I switch between the two every other work out. IMO me the TUT with cables is better for stimulating hypertrophy when using the same weight as db.