Just my view...whatever: The proper way to do lateral raises would to use a Nautilus shoulder/delt machine (original version), with the 3 phase cam. Where the resistance is on the elbows during the raise, where it should be, for better leverage and recruitment of the delt's themselves. . There are copied versions around, some fairly close to the original Nautilus machine, without the patten cam. Can also work well, as long as the resistance is kept on the elbows....the main advantage of such machines.
The DB proper way.....purist BB'ing: The DB lateral raise is an extension movement, where the elbows should always lead the upwards motion, not the DB's themselves. Try keeping the focus on the path of the elbows and not on gripping the DB's (light grip preferred). Start with the DB's against the side of the legs, not in front of the body, and keep the elbows in line with the shoulder/head...even back a bit, if you can. Raising the elbows/DB's much higher that the shoulder girdle can bring the traps into play. Releasing some tension on the delts themselves, though they are still involved.
Might suggest doing one hand/delt at a time, allowing a deeper focus on the lateral raise. Either with a machine (nautilus for example) or a DB. Sitting can be a better option for a lot of guy's, reducing any body English that may be involved.
(with heavier style lateral head/delt workouts, cheating is pretty much the thing. Even running the rack, which can be an ultimate delt destroyer. Pretty intense going up and back down a DB rack to the original pair of 10's you may have started with. One rep, grab the next DB in line, one rep, than to the next heavier DB, etc, etc, etc.. Than back down the rack again. Believe the original concept was for DB overhead preses or DB curls. Another delt style is to start with DB's in front of the body, raise them all the way up and than lowering them behind the body, than raise again and back to in front of the body...that's considered one rep. DB lateral raises, with the arms bent at around a 45 degree angle, is still pretty common also. And as in most versions, the elbows lead)
Good Luck.
