Side delts
Lateral shoulder cap work from raises and upright pulls.
Front
Back- Side delts
Exercises that train the Side delts
- Barbell Shoulder Grip Upright RowPrimary · Barbell
- Barbell Upright RowPrimary · Barbell
- Barbell Wide Grip Upright RowPrimary · Barbell
- Cable Lateral RaisePrimary · Cable
- Cable One Arm Lateral RaisePrimary · Cable
- Cable Upright RowPrimary · Cable
- Dumbbell Bent Arm Lateral RaisePrimary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbell Full Can Lateral RaisePrimary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbell Incline One Arm Lateral RaisePrimary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbell One Arm Lateral RaisePrimary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbell One Arm Upright RowPrimary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbell Scott PressPrimary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbell Seated Lateral RaisePrimary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbell Standing Bent Arm Lateral RaisePrimary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbell Upright RowPrimary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbell W PressPrimary · Dumbbell
- Lever Lateral RaisePrimary · Machine
- Lying Around the WorldPrimary · Bodyweight
- Arm CrossoverSecondary · Bodyweight
- Band Bent Over Rear Lateral RaiseSecondary · Resistance band
- Band Face PullSecondary · Resistance band
- Band Front Lateral RaiseSecondary · Resistance band
- Band Lying Hip External RotationSecondary · Resistance band
- Band Lying Hip Internal RotationSecondary · Resistance band
- Band Single Arm Shoulder PressSecondary · Resistance band
- Band Standing Rear Delt RowSecondary · Resistance band
- Barbell Front RaiseSecondary · Barbell
- Barbell Power JerkSecondary · Barbell
- Barbell Seated Behind Head Military PressSecondary · Barbell
- Barbell Seated Overhead PressSecondary · Barbell
- Barbell SkierSecondary · Barbell
- Barbell Standing Close Grip Military PressSecondary · Barbell
- Barbell Standing Front Raise Over HeadSecondary · Barbell
- Barbell Standing Wide Military PressSecondary · Barbell
- Battling RopesSecondary · Bodyweight
- Cable Alternate Shoulder PressSecondary · Cable
- Cable Cross Over Revers FlySecondary · Cable
- Cable Front RaiseSecondary · Cable
- Cable Middle FlySecondary · Cable
- Cable Rear Delt Row (Stirrups)Secondary · Cable
- Cable Shoulder PressSecondary · Cable
- Cable Standing Rear Delt Row (with Rope)Secondary · Cable
- Cable Twisting Overhead PressSecondary · Cable
- Circles ArmSecondary · Bodyweight
- Dumbbell Alternate Shoulder PressSecondary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbell Alternate Side PressSecondary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbell Arnold PressSecondary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbell Front RaiseSecondary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbell Front Raise (Version 2)Secondary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbell Incline RaiseSecondary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbell Iron CrossSecondary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbell One Arm Reverse Fly (with Support)Secondary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbell One Arm Shoulder Press (Version 2)Secondary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbell Rear Delt RaiseSecondary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbell Rear FlySecondary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbell Seated Alternate Front RaiseSecondary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbell Seated Alternate PressSecondary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbell Seated Front RaiseSecondary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbell Seated Shoulder PressSecondary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbell Seated Shoulder Press (Parallel Grip)Secondary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbell Standing Overhead PressSecondary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbell Standing Palms in PressSecondary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbell Standing Scapular External RotationSecondary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbell SwingSecondary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbell ThrusterSecondary · Dumbbell
- EZ Barbell Anti Gravity PressSecondary · Barbell
- Handstand Push-UpSecondary · Bodyweight
- Kettlebell Bent PressSecondary · Kettlebell
- Kettlebell SwingSecondary · Kettlebell
- Kettlebell ThrusterSecondary · Kettlebell
- Landmine Kneeling One Arm Shoulder PressSecondary · Machine
- Lever Military Press (Plate Loaded)Secondary · Machine
- Lever Seated Reverse FlySecondary · Machine
- Lever Seated Shoulder PressSecondary · Machine
- Smith Seated Shoulder PressSecondary · Machine
- Swimmer KicksSecondary · Bodyweight
- Roll Around the World Lying on FloorPrimary · Bodyweight
- Band Warm Up Shoulder StretchSecondary · Resistance band
- Battling Ropes Side RaisePrimary · Bodyweight
- Elliptical Machine WalkSecondary · Machine
- Walk Elliptical Cross TrainerSecondary · Machine
How to train it
Train the Side delts with 2–4 of the movements above. Cover different angles, use 2–4 sets each in a 6–15 rep range, and progress the load over time. Pair primary lifts with assisting movements for complete development.
Open the muscle planner →Side delts FAQ
What are the best exercises for the Side delts?
Barbell Shoulder Grip Upright Row, Barbell Upright Row, Barbell Wide Grip Upright Row and Cable Lateral Raise are among the most effective side delts exercises. Pair a heavy compound movement with one or two assistance exercises to train the side delts through its full range.
How often should you train the Side delts?
Training the side delts two to three times per week, with roughly 10–20 hard sets in total, works well for most lifters. Leave about 48 hours between demanding side delts sessions so the muscle can recover and grow.
Related muscles

Chest
Pecs for flat, incline, decline and fly patterns.

Shoulders
The whole deltoid — pressing overhead, raising to the side and pulling to the rear.

Front delts
Anterior shoulder work from overhead and incline press patterns.

Serratus
Serratus anterior — punches, protraction and overhead reach for the rib-cage finger lines.