? Lateral Raises

[Jcrew3082]

When doing lateral raises, I have noticed that Cathe uses two positions. One is where she begins with her arms somewhat bent and in front of her body, then lifts to the side. The other is where she begins with her arms straighter and more at her sides then lifts. I am wondering if there are significant differences in the techniques. Is one supposed to be more difficult or more effective? Do they just target the muscle in different ways?

Funny how these questions come to me at this time of night lol.

Thanks!!!

 

[Aquajock]

When doing lateral raises in the bent-elbow position, the workload for the middle delts is somewhat less, because the lever length is less and the weightload is closer to the body. Conversely when doing lateral raises with the arms straight, the workload is greater because the weights go further away from the body. There's a whole physics equation about that, but I'm too bald to remember it right now.

I would guess that the bent-elbow position is more for endurance work; you can probably do more reps for a given weight load.

A-Jock

 

[Jcrew3082]

Thanks A-Jock!