10 Best Dumbbell Lateral To Front Raise Alternatives for Shoulder Hypertrophy

The Dumbbell Lateral To Front Raise is done standing with dumbbells. Ranked closest by our scoring: the Dumbbell Lateral Raise, the Dumbbell Standing Around World and the Shoulder Raise. Three harder versions, Side Laterals To Front Raise, the Side Lateral Raise and the Standing Dumbbell Straight-arm Front Delt Raise Above Head, are listed below as progressions rather than swaps.

Dumbbell Lateral To Front RaiseWatch the Dumbbell Lateral To 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 Lateral To Front Raise

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

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

  1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, holding a dumbbell in each hand with your 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 ground, 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. Next, raise your arms in front of you until they are parallel to the ground, again keeping a slight bend in your elbows.
  6. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower your arms back down to the starting position.
  7. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

The 10 Best Dumbbell Lateral To Front Raise Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Dumbbell Lateral To 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. Dumbbell Lateral RaisePlay demonstration

    1. Dumbbell Lateral Raise

    99% match

    Delts · Beginner · Isolation

    Pick this when you want an easier version that 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 Lateral To Front Raise
    • Primary muscle: delts, the same as the Dumbbell Lateral To Front Raise
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Dumbbell Lateral To Front Raise
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Dumbbell Lateral To Front Raise
  2. Side Laterals To Front Raise

    Progression

    2. Side Laterals To Front Raise

    94% match

    Delts · Intermediate · Isolation

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

    • Dumbbell
    How to perform it
    1. In a standing position, hold a pair of dumbbells at your side. This will be your starting position.
    2. Keeping your elbows slightly bent, raise the weights directly in front of you to shoulder height, avoiding any swinging or cheating.
    3. At the top of the exercise move the weights out in front of you, keeping your arms extended.
    4. Lower the weights with a controlled motion.
    5. On the next repetition, raise the weights in front of you to shoulder height before moving the weights laterally to your sides.
    6. Lower the weights to the starting position.

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

    Why this matches
    • Movement: raise, the same as the Dumbbell Lateral To Front Raise
    • Primary muscle: delts, the same as the Dumbbell Lateral To Front Raise
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Dumbbell Lateral To Front Raise
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Dumbbell Lateral To Front Raise

Why You Might Need a Dumbbell Lateral To Front Raise Alternative

You may swap this isolation move for several practical reasons: shoulder pain or impingement from repeated humeral elevation, lack of dumbbells, or a desire for greater progressive overload. Substitutes change the moment arm and scapular mechanics to reduce joint torque or increase time under tension. For example, shifting to scaption (30° forward) lowers subacromial contact and still activates the lateral deltoid; cue scapular depression and a 45° elbow bend to protect the rotator cuff. Other choices like landmine or cable variations let you vary load path and constant tension for safer hypertrophy progression.

Find Alternatives for Any Exercise

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