Anatomical drawing of the human upper body musculature system highlighting the deltoid muscle in red.

The deltoid is a three-headed muscle that forms a cap around your shoulder. It’s primary function is essentially to move the arm away from the body. The lateral raise exercise focuses on the middle head of the deltoid, which raises your arm away to the side. By using Thera-Band® to perform a lateral raise, you are using the resistance of the band instead of weights. You can vary the resistance by adjusting your hand position on the band. To increase resistance, grasp the band closer to the center and to decrease, grasp it closer to the ends.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Begin by putting the Thera-Band® underneath the chair and grasp one end of the Thera-Band® in each hand. Sit up straight in the chair with your feet flat on the floor and shoulder width apart. Contract your abdominals for trunk stability. Hold the Thera-Band® down at your side with your palms facing in towards your body. Exhale and slowly raise both arms straight out to your side until they are at shoulder height. Inhale as you bring them back down to starting position, lowering them in a slow and controlled manner. Repeat this process 8-12 times for 3 sets.

A woman seated in a wheelchair is demonstrating the start position for a Lateral Raise with Thera-Band® exercise.

A woman seated in a wheelchair is demonstrating the end position for a Lateral Raise with Thera-Band® exercise.