Exercise guide · Intermediate · Compound

Barbell Rear Delt Raise: How to Do It & Muscles Worked

The barbell rear delt raise is an isolation exercise targeting the rear deltoids, with secondary emphasis on the traps and rhomboids. It is performed by hinging at the hips and raising a barbell out to the sides, focusing on shoulder movement.

Primary muscles
Shoulders
Secondary muscles
Traps
Equipment
Barbell
Level · type
Intermediate · Compound
Demonstration of the barbell rear delt raise
Front view: muscles worked by the barbell rear delt raise. Primary: shoulders. Secondary: traps.
Back view: muscles worked by the barbell rear delt raise. Primary: shoulders. Secondary: traps.
Primary Secondary

How to do the barbell rear delt raise

  1. Step 1: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and hold a barbell with an overhand grip, palms facing down.
  2. Step 2: Bend your knees slightly and hinge forward at the hips, keeping your back straight.
  3. Step 3: Raise the barbell out to the sides, keeping your arms straight, until they are parallel to the ground.
  4. Step 4: Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower the barbell back to the starting position.
  5. Step 5: Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

Sets, reps and programming

Suggested sets, reps and rest for the barbell rear delt raise by training goal
Goal Sets Reps Rest Effort
Strength 3–5 3–6 3–5 min 1–3 reps in reserve
Muscle growth 3–4 6–12 2–3 min 1–2 reps in reserve
Muscular endurance 2–3 12–20 1–2 min 1–3 reps in reserve

Ranges follow the ACSM position stand on progression in resistance training. Muscle grows across a wide range of loads when sets end close to failure (Schoenfeld et al., 2017), longer rests between heavy sets support strength and size (Schoenfeld et al., 2016), and stopping a rep or two short of failure works about as well as training to failure (Grgic et al., 2022). Estimate your working weights with the strength calculators.

Barbell Rear Delt Raise alternatives

More exercises that train the shoulders as their main target:

More shoulders exercises

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Sources

  1. American College of Sports Medicine. Progression models in resistance training for healthy adults. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2009;41(3):687-708.
  2. Schoenfeld BJ, Grgic J, Ogborn D, Krieger JW. Strength and hypertrophy adaptations between low- vs. high-load resistance training. J Strength Cond Res. 2017;31(12):3508-3523.
  3. Schoenfeld BJ, Pope ZK, Benik FM, et al. Longer interset rest periods enhance muscle strength and hypertrophy in resistance-trained men. J Strength Cond Res. 2016;30(7):1805-1812.
  4. Grgic J, Schoenfeld BJ, Orazem J, Sabol F. Effects of resistance training performed to repetition failure or non-failure on muscular strength and hypertrophy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Sport Health Sci. 2022;11(2):202-211.

Step-by-step instructions and demonstration media are from the ExerciseDB exercise dataset.

This guide is general fitness information, not medical advice. Stop if an exercise causes pain and speak to a doctor or physiotherapist about injuries or health conditions before starting a new programme.