Standing Y Raise | Illustrated Exercise Guide

Primary muscles: Shoulders
Secondary muscles: Chest
Equipment: Dumbbells
Exercise for the opposite muscles: Dumbbell bent over row

STANDING Y RAISE INSTRUCTIONS

1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and hold a dumbbell in each hand with your palms facing your hips.
2. Raise the dumbbells above your head, with your palms facing each other, and form a Y with your body.
3. Lower the dumbbells to the starting position and repeat.

PROPER FORM AND BREATHING PATTERN

Open your chest, face front and squeeze your shoulder blades together. Keep your arms straight and breathe out as you raise the dumbbells above your head. Move the dumbbells only with your shoulders, keep your body static and don’t arch your back. Breathe in as you slowly return to the starting position.

EXERCISE BENEFITS

The standing dumbbell Y raise targets your shoulders and chest and helps to strengthen and tone your upper body. This exercise helps to improve posture, sculpts the shoulders and lifts the breasts.

DEMONSTRATION

SETS AND REPS

Choose a light set of dumbbells and start with 12 to 15 repetitions. For a complete back and chest workout pair the dumbbell Y raise with regular push ups and the bent over row exercise.