29/07/2026
You're turning lateral raises into a FRONT delt exercise and you don't even know it. π¨
Most lifters raise the dumbbells with thumbs pointed up. Feels "controlled." But that's the problem.
Here's what's actually happening:
Thumbs up = External shoulder rotation = Resistance shifts to FRONT delts = You're training the wrong shoulder head.
Your side delts? They're barely working.
Jeff Nippard's Fix:
Slight "pinkies up" position (around 20 degrees).
This changes shoulder alignment so side delt fibers stay directly in line with resistance.
Result:
β
Side delts take the tension
β
Wider shoulder development
β
Actual lateral delt stimulus
β
Better proportions
The Principle:
Shoulder rotation changes muscle recruitment. Small hand position = massive fiber recruitment change.
Try it next session: Raise with pinkies slightly up instead of thumbs up.
Does your side delt pump feel completely different? π
Tag someone still using thumbs-up lateral raises π₯