10 Best Dumbbell Incline Shoulder Raise Alternatives for Home

Ranked Dumbbell Incline Shoulder Raise Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Dumbbell Incline Shoulder 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. Harder versions are tagged as progressions and kept out of the top spot even when they score higher.

1. Best match

   Play demonstration

   1. Smith Incline Shoulder Raises

   76% match

   • Serratus
   • Smith-machine
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   A good swap when you have a Smith machine to work with, and it still works the serratus.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Adjust the smith machine to an incline position.
   2. Stand facing the machine with your feet shoulder-width apart.
   3. Grasp the bar with an overhand grip, slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
   4. Keep your back straight and core engaged.
   5. Raise the barbell up towards the ceiling, leading with your elbows.
   6. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower the barbell back down to the starting position.
   7. 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 Incline Shoulder Raise
   • Primary muscle: serratus, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Shoulder Raise
   • Equipment: a machine, not free weights
   • Body position: standing, not lying on your back
2. 

   2. Front Raise And Pullover

   70% match

   • Pectorals
   • Barbell
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   A looser match: it works the pectorals rather than the serratus.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Lie on a flat bench while holding a barbell using a palms down grip that is about 15 inches apart.
   2. Place the bar on your upper thighs, extend your arms and lock them while keeping a slight bend on the elbows. This will be your starting position.
   3. Now raise the weight using a semicircular motion and keeping your arms straight as you inhale. Continue the same movement until the bar is on the other side above your head . (Tip: the bar will travel approximately 180-degrees). At this point your arms should be parallel to the floor with the palms of your hands facing the ceiling.
   4. Now return the barbell to the starting position by reversing the motion as you exhale.
   5. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Movement: raise, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Shoulder Raise
   • Primary muscle: pectorals, not serratus
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Shoulder Raise
   • Body position: lying on your back, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Shoulder Raise
3. 

   Progression

   3. Around The Worlds

   68% match

   • Pectorals
   • Dumbbell
   • Intermediate
   • Isolation

   A looser match: it uses the same equipment, but it works the pectorals rather than the serratus.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Lay down on a flat bench holding a dumbbell in each hand with the palms of the hands facing towards the ceiling. Tip: Your arms should be parallel to the floor and next to your thighs. To avoid injury, make sure that you keep your elbows slightly bent. This will be your starting position.
   2. Now move the dumbbells by creating a semi-circle as you displace them from the initial position to over the head. All of the movement should happen with the arms parallel to the floor at all times. Breathe in as you perform this portion of the movement.
   3. Reverse the movement to return the weight to the starting position as you exhale.

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

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: pectorals, not serratus
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Shoulder Raise
   • Body position: lying on your back, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Shoulder Raise
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Dumbbell Incline Shoulder Raise
4. 

   4. Dumbbell Flyes

   68% match

   • Pectorals
   • Dumbbell
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Lie down on a flat bench with a dumbbell on each hand resting on top of your thighs. The palms of your hand will be facing each other.
   2. Then using your thighs to help raise the dumbbells, lift the dumbbells one at a time so you can hold them in front of you at shoulder width with the palms of your hands facing each other. Raise the dumbbells up like you're pressing them, but stop and hold just before you lock out. This will be your starting position.
   3. With a slight bend on your elbows in order to prevent stress at the biceps tendon, lower your arms out at both sides in a wide arc until you feel a stretch on your chest. Breathe in as you perform this portion of the movement. Tip: Keep in mind that throughout the movement, the arms should remain stationary; the movement should only occur at the shoulder joint.
   4. Return your arms back to the starting position as you squeeze your chest muscles and breathe out. Tip: Make sure to use the same arc of motion used to lower the weights.
   5. Hold for a second at the contracted position and repeat the movement for the prescribed amount of repetitions.

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

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: pectorals, not serratus
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Shoulder Raise
   • Body position: lying on your back, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Shoulder Raise
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Dumbbell Incline Shoulder Raise
5. Play demonstration

   5. Dumbbell Incline Fly

   64% match

   • Pectorals
   • Dumbbell
   • Intermediate
   • Isolation

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Set an incline bench to a 45-degree angle.
   2. Sit on the bench with a dumbbell in each hand, palms facing each other.
   3. Lie back on the bench and press the dumbbells up to the starting position, directly above your chest.
   4. Lower the dumbbells out to the sides in a wide arc until you feel a stretch in your chest.
   5. Pause for a moment, then squeeze your chest muscles to bring the dumbbells back up 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

   • Primary muscle: pectorals, not serratus
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Shoulder Raise
   • Body position: lying on your back, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Shoulder Raise
6. 

   Progression

   6. Straight-arm Dumbbell Pullover

   64% match

   • Pectorals
   • Dumbbell
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Place a dumbbell standing up on a flat bench.
   2. Ensuring that the dumbbell stays securely placed at the top of the bench, lie perpendicular to the bench (torso across it as in forming a cross) with only your shoulders lying on the surface. Hips should be below the bench and legs bent with feet firmly on the floor. The head will be off the bench as well.
   3. Grasp the dumbbell with both hands and hold it straight over your chest at arms length. Both palms should be pressing against the underside one of the sides of the dumbbell. This will be your starting position. Caution: Always ensure that the dumbbell used for this exercise is secure. Using a dumbbell with loose plates can result in the dumbbell falling apart and falling on your face.
   4. While keeping your arms straight, lower the weight slowly in an arc behind your head while breathing in until you feel a stretch on the chest.
   5. At that point, bring the dumbbell back to the starting position using the arc through which the weight was lowered and exhale as you perform this movement.
   6. Hold the weight on the initial position for a second and repeat the motion for the prescribed number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: pectorals, not serratus
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Shoulder Raise
   • Body position: lying on your back, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Shoulder Raise
7. Play demonstration

   Progression

   7. Dumbbell Incline Twisted Flyes

   64% match

   • Pectorals
   • Dumbbell
   • Intermediate
   • Isolation

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Set an incline bench to a 45-degree angle and sit on it with a dumbbell in each hand, palms facing each other.
   2. Lie back on the bench and press the dumbbells up to the starting position, directly above your chest, with your arms extended.
   3. Lower the dumbbells out to the sides in a wide arc until you feel a stretch in your chest.
   4. As you lower the dumbbells, rotate your wrists so that your palms face forward at the bottom of the movement.
   5. Reverse the motion and bring the dumbbells back up to the starting position, squeezing your chest muscles together at the top.
   6. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

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

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: pectorals, not serratus
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Shoulder Raise
   • Body position: lying on your back, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Shoulder Raise
8. Play demonstration

   8. Kettlebell Pirate Supper Legs

   64% match

   • Delts
   • Kettlebell
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, holding a kettlebell in one hand.
   2. Bend your knees slightly and hinge forward at the hips, keeping your back straight.
   3. Raise the kettlebell up to shoulder height, keeping your elbow close to your body.
   4. Extend your arm fully overhead, straightening your elbow.
   5. Lower the kettlebell back down to shoulder height, then return to the starting position.
   6. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions, then switch sides.

   Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: delts, not serratus
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Shoulder Raise
   • Body position: standing, not lying on your back
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Dumbbell Incline Shoulder Raise
9. Play demonstration

   9. Barbell Decline Close Grip To Skull Press

   61% match

   • Triceps
   • Barbell
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Lie on a decline bench with your head lower than your feet and hold a barbell with a close grip.
   2. Lower the barbell towards your forehead by bending your elbows, keeping your upper arms stationary.
   3. Pause for a moment, then extend your arms to press the barbell back up to the starting position.
   4. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 to 5 sets of 5 to 8 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: triceps, not serratus
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Shoulder Raise
   • Body position: lying on your back, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Shoulder Raise
10. Play demonstration

    Progression

    10. Dumbbell Upright Row

    61% match

    • Delts
    • Dumbbell
    • Intermediate
    • Compound

    How to perform this exercise

    1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, holding a dumbbell in each hand with an overhand grip.
    2. Let the dumbbells hang in front of your thighs, with your arms fully extended.
    3. Keeping your back straight and your core engaged, exhale and lift the dumbbells straight up towards your chin, leading with your elbows.
    4. Pause for a moment at the top, then inhale and slowly lower the dumbbells back down to the starting position.
    5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

    Why this matches

    • Primary muscle: delts, not serratus
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Shoulder Raise
    • Body position: standing, not lying on your back
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Dumbbell Incline Shoulder Raise