Stand with your feet slightly apart. Hold the dumbbells with your palms down. Rest the dumbbells on your thighs or slightly to your sides.
1. Inhale and, performing the lift using alternate sides, raise the dumbbells forward to shoulder height or slightly above.
2. Exhale as you lower the weight back to your side and complete the movement. Perform the same movement with the other arm. Repeat each side for necessary reps to complete your set.
Notes:
This exercise places primary emphasis on the anterior deltoids and upper pectorals. To a lesser extent it works the middle deltoids.
Each arm raise exercise also works the muscles that attach the shoulder blades to the rib cage, which include the serratus anterior and rhomboids (these stabilize the humerus in its movements).