Wide Grip Straight Raise

This is a difficult exercise and as such you will only need a light weight on your bar. It can be performed either standing (ideally with staggered legs), or whilst lying on a flat bench, which reduces the stress on your back, whilst truly isolating your shoulder muscles.

START

FINISH

FRONT VIEW

Start the exercise with the weight resting just above your thighs, having your hands double shoulder width apart, keeping your arms straight, with your hands grasped either under or over the bar.

Keeping your arms straight, smoothly raise the weight from a horizontal straight arm position, to one whereby your arms are vertical, with the bar directly over your chest.

Focus on keeping your feet pushed down, in order to keep your lower back on the bench. Avoid using heavy weights, aim to work for high reps with a lightweight, rather than risk injury with a heavy weight and poor technique.