10 Best Barbell Front Raise Alternatives for Shoulder Strength

Ranked Barbell Front Raise Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Barbell Front Raise on movement pattern, muscles worked, equipment and body position. The higher the score, the less you change. Open "How to perform this exercise" on a card for the steps; every card title links to that exercise's own alternatives page.

1. Best match

   Play demonstration

   1. Barbell Standing Front Raise Over Head

   91% match

   • Delts
   • Barbell
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   Pick this when you want an easier version that still works the delts.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, holding a barbell in front of your thighs with an overhand grip.
   2. Keep your back straight and engage your core.
   3. Slowly raise the barbell in front of you, keeping your arms straight and your palms facing down.
   4. Continue lifting until the barbell is slightly above shoulder level.
   5. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower the barbell back down to the starting position.
   6. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Movement: raise, the same as the Barbell Front Raise
   • Primary muscle: delts, the same as the Barbell Front Raise
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Barbell Front Raise
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Barbell Front Raise
2. Play demonstration

   2. Dumbbell Standing Front Raise Above Head

   89% match

   • Delts
   • Dumbbell
   • Intermediate
   • Isolation

   A good swap when you have dumbbells to work with, and it still works the delts.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, holding a dumbbell in each hand with an overhand grip.
   2. Keep your arms straight and lift the dumbbells in front of you, raising them above your head.
   3. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower the dumbbells back to the starting position.
   4. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Movement: raise, the same as the Barbell Front Raise
   • Primary muscle: delts, the same as the Barbell Front Raise
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Barbell Front Raise
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Barbell Front Raise
3. 

   3. Front Plate Raise

   89% match

   • Delts
   • Other
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   It still works the delts, through a different movement.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. While standing straight, hold a barbell plate in both hands at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions. Your palms should be facing each other and your arms should be extended and locked with a slight bend at the elbows and the plate should be down near your waist in front of you as far as you can go. Tip: The arms will remain in this position throughout the exercise. This will be your starting position.
   2. Slowly raise the plate as you exhale until it is a little above shoulder level. Hold the contraction for a second. Tip: make sure that you do not swing the weight or bend at the elbows. Your torso should remain stationary throughout the movement as well.
   3. As you inhale, slowly lower the plate back down to the starting position.
   4. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: delts, the same as the Barbell Front Raise
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Barbell Front Raise
4. Play demonstration

   4. Weighted Front Raise

   89% match

   • Delts
   • Weighted
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, holding a dumbbell in each hand with your palms facing your thighs.
   2. Keeping your arms straight, exhale and lift the dumbbells in front of you until they are at shoulder level.
   3. Pause for a moment at the top, then inhale and slowly lower the dumbbells back down to the starting position.
   4. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: delts, the same as the Barbell Front Raise
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Barbell Front Raise
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Barbell Front Raise
5. Play demonstration

   5. Dumbbell Front Raise

   85% match

   • Delts
   • Dumbbell
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, holding a dumbbell in each hand with your palms facing your thighs.
   2. Keeping your arms straight, exhale and lift the dumbbells in front of you until they are at shoulder level.
   3. Pause for a moment at the top, then inhale and slowly lower the dumbbells back down to the starting position.
   4. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Movement: raise, the same as the Barbell Front Raise
   • Primary muscle: delts, the same as the Barbell Front Raise
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Barbell Front Raise
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Barbell Front Raise
6. Play demonstration

   6. Dumbbell Raise

   85% match

   • Delts
   • Dumbbell
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and hold a dumbbell in each hand, palms facing your body.
   2. Keep your back straight and engage your core.
   3. Raise your arms out to the sides until they are parallel to the floor, keeping a slight bend in your elbows.
   4. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower your arms back down to the starting position.
   5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Movement: raise, the same as the Barbell Front Raise
   • Primary muscle: delts, the same as the Barbell Front Raise
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Barbell Front Raise
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Barbell Front Raise
7. Play demonstration

   7. Dumbbell Seated Front Raise

   82% match

   • Delts
   • Dumbbell
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Sit on a bench with your feet flat on the ground and a dumbbell in each hand, resting on your thighs.
   2. Keep your back straight and core engaged.
   3. Raise the dumbbells in front of you, with your palms facing down, until they are at shoulder level.
   4. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower the dumbbells back down to the starting position.
   5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Movement: raise, the same as the Barbell Front Raise
   • Primary muscle: delts, the same as the Barbell Front Raise
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Barbell Front Raise
   • Body position: seated, not standing
8. 

   8. Smith Incline Shoulder Raise

   81% match

   • Delts
   • Barbell
   • Intermediate
   • Isolation

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Place an incline bench underneath the smith machine. Place the barbell at a height that you can reach when lying down and your arms are almost fully extended. Once the weight you need is selected, lie down on the incline bench and make sure your shoulders are aligned right under the barbell.
   2. Using a shoulder width pronated (palms forward) grip, lift the bar from the rack and hold it straight over you with a slight bend at the elbows. This will be your starting position.
   3. As you breathe out, lift the bar up until your arms are fully extended. Note: The contraction should be felt around the shoulders.
   4. After a second pause, bring the bar back down to the starting position as you breathe in.
   5. Repeat the movement for the prescribed amount of repetitions.
   6. When you are done, place the bar back in the rack.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: delts, the same as the Barbell Front Raise
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Barbell Front Raise
   • Body position: lying face down, not standing
9. 

   9. Front Two-dumbbell Raise

   80% match

   • Delts
   • Dumbbell
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Pick a couple of dumbbells and stand with a straight torso and the dumbbells on front of your thighs at arms length with the palms of the hand facing your thighs. This will be your starting position.
   2. While maintaining the torso stationary (no swinging), lift the dumbbells to the front with a slight bend on the elbow and the palms of the hands always facing down. Continue to go up until you arms are slightly above parallel to the floor. Exhale as you execute this portion of the movement and pause for a second at the top.
   3. As you inhale, lower the dumbbells back down slowly to the starting position.
   4. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: delts, the same as the Barbell Front Raise
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Barbell Front Raise
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Barbell Front Raise
10. 

    10. Standing Dumbbell Straight-arm Front Delt Raise Above Head

    80% match

    • Delts
    • Dumbbell
    • Intermediate
    • Isolation

    How to perform this exercise

    1. Hold the dumbbells in front of your thighs, palms facing your thighs.
    2. Keep your arms straight with a slight bend at the elbows but keep them locked. This will be your starting position.
    3. Raise the dumbbells in a semicircular motion to arm's length overhead as you exhale.
    4. Slowly return to the starting position using the same path as you inhale.
    5. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

    Why this matches

    • Primary muscle: delts, the same as the Barbell Front Raise
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Barbell Front Raise
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Barbell Front Raise