10 Best Front Cable Raise Alternatives for When You Can't Use Cables

The Front Cable Raise is done standing with a cable machine. Ranked closest by our scoring: Handstand Push-ups, the Handstand Push-up and the Left Hook. Boxing.

Updated Ranked by our 12-factor similarity model How it works

Original Exercise: Front Cable Raise

Front Cable Raise
Primary muscle
Delts
Equipment
Cable
Difficulty
Beginner
Type
Isolation
How to perform Front Cable Raise
  1. Select the weight on a low pulley machine and grasp the single hand cable attachment that is attached to the low pulley with your left hand.
  2. Face away from the pulley and put your arm straight down with the hand cable attachment in front of your thighs at arms' length with the palms of the hand facing your thighs. This will be your starting position.
  3. While maintaining the torso stationary (no swinging), lift the left arm to the front with a slight bend on the elbow and the palms of the hand always faces down. Continue to go up until you arm is slightly above parallel to the floor. Exhale as you execute this portion of the movement and pause for a second at the top.
  4. Now as you inhale lower the arm back down slowly to the starting position.
  5. Once all of the recommended amount of repetitions have been performed for this arm, switch arms and perform the exercise with the right one.
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Ranked Front Cable Raise Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Front Cable 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. Incline Push-up (On Box)Play demonstration

    1. Incline Push-up (On Box)

    49% match
    • Pectorals
    • Bodyweight
    • Beginner
    • Compound

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

    How to perform this exercise
    1. Place your hands on the edge of a box or elevated surface, slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
    2. Extend your legs behind you, resting on the balls of your feet, creating a straight line from your head to your heels.
    3. Lower your chest towards the box by bending your elbows, keeping your body in a straight line.
    4. Pause for a moment at the bottom, then push yourself back up to the starting position by straightening your arms.
    5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps, and add reps before you add load.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: pectorals, not delts
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a cable
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Front Cable Raise
  2. Best match
    Handstand Push-ups

    2. Handstand Push-ups

    48% match
    • Delts
    • Bodyweight
    • Advanced
    • Compound

    Use this when you have nothing to train with, because it works the delts with bodyweight alone.

    How to perform this exercise
    1. With your back to the wall bend at the waist and place both hands on the floor at shoulder width.
    2. Kick yourself up against the wall with your arms straight. Your body should be upside down with the arms and legs fully extended. Keep your whole body as straight as possible. Tip: If doing this for the first time, have a spotter help you. Also, make sure that you keep facing the wall with your head, rather than looking down.
    3. Slowly lower yourself to the ground as you inhale until your head almost touches the floor. Tip: It is of utmost importance that you come down slow in order to avoid head injury.
    4. Push yourself back up slowly as you exhale until your elbows are nearly locked.
    5. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

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

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: delts, the same as the Front Cable Raise
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a cable
    • Body position: inverted, not standing
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Front Cable Raise
  3. Modified Hindu Push-upPlay demonstration

    3. Modified Hindu Push-up

    47% match
    • Pectorals
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Start in a push-up position with your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart and your feet hip-width apart.
    2. Lower your body towards the ground, bending your elbows and keeping your core engaged.
    3. As you lower your body, shift your weight back and lift your hips up towards the ceiling, creating an inverted V shape with your body.
    4. Continue to lower your body until your chest is just above the ground, then reverse the movement, pushing your hips back down and extending your arms to return 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: pectorals, not delts
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a cable
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Front Cable Raise
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Front Cable Raise
  4. Push-up (Wall)Play demonstration

    4. Push-up (Wall)

    45% match
    • Pectorals
    • Bodyweight
    • Beginner
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Stand facing a wall, about arm's length away.
    2. Place your hands on the wall at shoulder height, slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
    3. Step back with your feet, keeping them hip-width apart.
    4. Engage your core and keep your body in a straight line from head to heels.
    5. Bend your elbows and lower your chest towards the wall, keeping your body straight.
    6. Pause for a moment, then push yourself back to the starting position.
    7. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps, and add reps before you add load.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: pectorals, not delts
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a cable
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Front Cable Raise
  5. Handstand Push-upPlay demonstration

    5. Handstand Push-up

    45% match
    • Delts
    • Bodyweight
    • Advanced
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Find a wall and face away from it, standing a few feet away.
    2. Place your hands on the ground shoulder-width apart and kick your feet up against the wall, coming into a handstand position.
    3. Bend your elbows and lower your head towards the ground, keeping your body in a straight line.
    4. Push through your hands and extend your arms to return 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, the same as the Front Cable Raise
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a cable
    • Body position: inverted, not standing
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Front Cable Raise
  6. Left Hook. BoxingPlay demonstration

    6. Left Hook. Boxing

    44% match
    • Delts
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound

    Pick this when you want a harder version that works the delts one side at a time.

    How to perform this exercise
    1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your knees slightly bent.
    2. Keep your left hand up to protect your face and your right hand by your chin.
    3. Rotate your hips and pivot on your left foot as you extend your left arm forward in a punching motion.
    4. Twist your torso and engage your core muscles to generate power in the punch.
    5. Snap your arm back to the starting position and repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

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

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: delts, the same as the Front Cable Raise
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a cable
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Front Cable Raise
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Front Cable Raise
  7. Triceps Dip (Between Benches)Play demonstration

    7. Triceps Dip (Between Benches)

    44% match
    • Triceps
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound

    A looser match: it works the triceps rather than the delts.

    How to perform this exercise
    1. Sit on a bench with your hands gripping the edge of the bench, fingers pointing forward.
    2. Slide your butt off the bench, supporting your weight with your hands.
    3. Bend your elbows and lower your body towards the ground, keeping your back close to the bench.
    4. Pause for a moment at the bottom, then push yourself back up 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: triceps, not delts
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a cable
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Front Cable Raise
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Front Cable Raise
  8. Incline Push-upPlay demonstration

    8. Incline Push-up

    41% match
    • Pectorals
    • Bodyweight
    • Beginner
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Place your hands on an elevated surface, such as a bench or step, slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
    2. Extend your legs behind you, resting on the balls of your feet, creating a straight line from your head to your heels.
    3. Lower your chest towards the elevated surface by bending your elbows, keeping your body in a straight line.
    4. Pause for a moment at the bottom, then push yourself back up to the starting position by straightening your arms.
    5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps, and add reps before you add load.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: pectorals, not delts
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a cable
    • Body position: lying face down, not standing
  9. Incline Push-up Medium

    9. Incline Push-up Medium

    41% match
    • Pectorals
    • Bodyweight
    • Beginner
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Stand facing a Smith machine bar or sturdy elevated platform at an appropriate height.
    2. Place your hands on the bar, with your hands about shoulder width apart.
    3. Position your feet back from the bar with arms and body straight. This will be your starting position.
    4. Keeping your body straight, lower your chest to the bar by bending the arms.
    5. Return to the starting position by extending the elbows, pressing yourself back up.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps, and add reps before you add load.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: pectorals, not delts
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a cable
    • Body position: lying face down, not standing
  10. Kneeling Push-upPlay demonstration

    10. Kneeling Push-up

    40% match
    • Pectorals
    • Bodyweight
    • Beginner
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Start by kneeling on the ground with your hands shoulder-width apart, fingers pointing forward.
    2. Extend your legs behind you, resting on the balls of your feet, so that your body forms a straight line from head to heels.
    3. Engage your core and lower your body towards the ground by bending your elbows, keeping them close to your sides.
    4. Continue lowering until your chest is just above the ground, then push back up to the starting position by straightening your arms.
    5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps, and add reps before you add load.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: pectorals, not delts
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a cable
    • Body position: kneeling, not standing
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Front Cable Raise

Why You Might Need a Front Cable Raise Alternative

You might substitute the Front Cable Raise for several reasons: no cable machine, shoulder pain with the cable line of pull, or the need for greater load progression. Different tools shift the moment arm and muscle activation, dumbbells change gravity’s vector, bands increase resistance through end range, and landmine or suspension variations change scapular demand. If you have impingement risk, pick a variation that shortens the lever and reduces overhead anterior glide; cue scapular retraction and a slight forward trunk lean to limit superior migration of the humeral head.

How to Choose the Right Front Cable Raise Substitute

Choose based on equipment, shoulder health, and the movement plane you need to preserve. Prioritize exercises that replicate shoulder flexion with an anterior line of pull if you want similar deltoid activation. For rehab pick lower load, higher-rep band raises and keep the wrist neutral; for strength choose heavier dumbbells or a single-arm landmine press to increase torque. Cue range: test with light reps and maintain a slight elbow bend to reduce biceps involvement and focus tension on the anterior deltoid.

Front Cable Raise FAQ

What muscles does Front Cable Raise work?

The Front Cable Raise primarily targets the anterior deltoid, with secondary activation of the lateral deltoid, clavicular pec fibers, and scapular stabilizers. The cable maintains continuous tension through shoulder flexion, so cue a soft elbow and lead with the elbow to concentrate load on the deltoid rather than the traps.

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Similarity scores compare exercise metadata such as movement pattern, muscles, equipment and body position. They are not a safety rating or a check that you own the equipment. Learn about our methodology