Scaption Raises
Light raises in the shoulder's natural plane that build the cuff and deltoid safely.
What it helps
Strengthens the rotator cuff and shoulder muscles through a raise in the joint's most comfortable plane — building overhead strength while keeping the shoulder clear of pinching.
How to do it
- Stand with your arms at your sides, thumbs pointing forward.
- Raise both arms out and slightly forward — about 30 degrees in front of straight out to the side, like a shallow Y.
- Keep your thumbs pointing up as you lift.
- Lift to about shoulder height, or to just before any pinch, then lower slowly.
Tips
- Thumbs up, slight forward angle — the shoulder's safest, roomiest position.
- Start with no weight; add a light weight only when it stays comfortable.
- How high you go is guided by comfort. Stop below any pinch.
Commonly done as 2 sets of 8–12, most days.
Where this appears in recovery
Scaption Raises is part of 45 recovery programs, most often at the strength building (weeks 6–12), bone healing (weeks 3–12) and strength building (months 3–6) stages, among others. Each program shows how it fits alongside the other movements:
- Clavicle Fracture ORIF exercise guide
- Latarjet Procedure exercise guide
- Latarjet Procedure exercise guide
- Cervical Laminoplasty exercise guide
- Distal Clavicle Excision exercise guide
- Superior Capsular Reconstruction exercise guide
- Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair exercise guide
- Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair exercise guide
- Proximal Humerus Fracture ORIF exercise guide
- Proximal Humerus Fracture ORIF exercise guide
- Bankart Repair (Shoulder Stabilization) exercise guide
- Bankart Repair (Shoulder Stabilization) exercise guide
- …and 33 more
All exercise guides · Condition guides · Recovery education
These are general exercise guides, not a personal prescription. The repetitions and frequency shown are what's commonly used — your own surgeon or therapist may advise something different, and their guidance comes first.