With Anna, injury prevention comes first and with lateral arm raises it is all too easy to overstress the shoulder joint and delicate rotator cuff muscles that surround it. Anna explains, "Most women can only do this move safely with a light weight, and it basically just works the lateral deltoid muscle." She suggests sculpting your shoulders with more dynamic moves that also work more of your body. Anna's recommendation is the lateral plank walk. Along with toning your arms, this exercise really works the core, back, and glutes.
Here are directions for this exercise.
- Begin in plank position with your hands underneath your shoulders and your body in one straight line.
- Simultaneously cross your right hand toward the left as you step your left foot out to the left. Then simultaneously step your left hand and right foot to the left, returning to the plank position. Your hands move together as your feet step apart. Take two more steps in this direction, keeping your abs pulled toward your spine and your pelvis level. This completes one rep.
- Reverse directions taking three steps the right.
- We suggest stating with 10 reps in each direction.
