10 Best Dumbbell Front Raise Alternatives for Limited Equipment

The Dumbbell Front Raise is done standing with dumbbells. Ranked closest by our scoring: the Barbell Standing Front Raise Over Head, the Dumbbell Raise and the Barbell Front Raise. Two harder versions, the Dumbbell Standing Front Raise Above Head and the Dumbbell Full Can Lateral Raise, are listed below as progressions rather than swaps.

Dumbbell Front RaiseWatch the Dumbbell Front Raise

Each substitute is scored on movement pattern, muscles worked, equipment and body position. Read how we rank alternatives

How to Do the Dumbbell Front Raise

The steps for the Dumbbell Front Raise itself, so you can judge how close each substitute below really is.

Delts, with trapezius, biceps · Dumbbell · Beginner · Isolation

  1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, holding a dumbbell in each hand with your palms facing your thighs.
  2. Keep your back straight and engage your core.
  3. Slowly lift the dumbbells in front of you, with your arms straight, 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.

The 10 Best Dumbbell Front Raise Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Dumbbell Front Raise on movement pattern, muscles worked, equipment and body position. The higher the score, the less you change. Cards with a "How to perform it" link open to show the steps; every card title links to that exercise's own alternatives page. Harder versions are tagged as progressions and kept out of the top spot even when they score higher.

Each link re-ranks the list below for the kit it names. Pick one to hide the substitutes you cannot set up.

  1. Barbell Standing Front Raise Over HeadPlay demonstration

    1. Barbell Standing Front Raise Over Head

    95% match

    Delts · Beginner · Isolation

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

    • Barbell
    How to perform it
    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 Dumbbell Front Raise
    • Primary muscle: delts, the same as the Dumbbell Front Raise
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Dumbbell Front Raise
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Dumbbell Front Raise
  2. Dumbbell RaisePlay demonstration

    2. Dumbbell Raise

    95% match

    Delts · Beginner · Isolation

    It uses the same equipment and still works the delts.

    • Dumbbell
    How to perform it
    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 Dumbbell Front Raise
    • Primary muscle: delts, the same as the Dumbbell Front Raise
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Dumbbell Front Raise
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Dumbbell Front Raise
  3. Dumbbell Standing Front Raise Above HeadPlay demonstration

    Progression

    3. Dumbbell Standing Front Raise Above Head

    95% match

    Delts · Intermediate · Isolation

    Pick this when you want a harder version that still works the delts.

    • Dumbbell
    How to perform it
    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 Dumbbell Front Raise
    • Primary muscle: delts, the same as the Dumbbell Front Raise
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Dumbbell Front Raise
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Dumbbell Front Raise
  6. Dumbbell Seated Front RaisePlay demonstration

    6. Dumbbell Seated Front Raise

    85% match

    Delts · Beginner · Isolation

    Pick this when you want to work the delts with less balance to manage.

    • Dumbbell
    How to perform it
    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 Dumbbell Front Raise
    • Primary muscle: delts, the same as the Dumbbell Front Raise
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Dumbbell Front Raise
    • Body position: seated, not standing
    • Balance: easier to stay steady on than the Dumbbell Front Raise
  7. Front Two-dumbbell Raise

    7. Front Two-dumbbell Raise

    85% match

    Delts · Beginner · Isolation

    It still works the delts, through a different movement.

    • Dumbbell
    How to perform it
    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 Dumbbell Front Raise
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Dumbbell Front Raise
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Dumbbell Front Raise

Dumbbell Front Raise FAQ

What muscles does Dumbbell Front Raise V. 2 work?

The Dumbbell Front Raise V. 2 primarily targets the anterior deltoid and the clavicular fibers of the pectoralis major, with secondary stabilization from the serratus anterior and biceps long head. Cue a slight elbow bend and lead with the elbow to maximize anterior deltoid activation and limit trapezius recruitment.

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