10 Best Front Dumbbell Raise Alternatives for Limited Equipment

If you can’t do the front dumbbell raise, pick movements that load shoulder flexion and anterior deltoid activation — for example, cable front raises, landmine presses, or incline dumbbell presses. Focus on a controlled eccentric and keep a slight bend in the elbow to reduce rotator-cuff torque while maintaining deltoid tension.

Original Exercise: Front Dumbbell Raise

Front Dumbbell Raise
Primary Muscle
Delts
Equipment
Dumbbell
Difficulty
Beginner
Type
Isolation
How to Perform Front Dumbbell Raise
  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 left dumbbell 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 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. Inhale after the second pause.
  3. Now lower the dumbbell back down slowly to the starting position as you simultaneously lift the right dumbbell.
  4. Continue alternating in this fashion until all of the recommended amount of repetitions have been performed for each arm.
Pro Tips
  • Category: Strength
  • Force: Push
  • Movement type: Isolation

Best Front Dumbbell Raise Alternatives

Best Match
Dumbbell Scaption

1. Dumbbell Scaption

94.7% Match
Delts Dumbbell Beginner Isolation
How to perform this exercise
  1. This corrective exercise strengthens the muscles that stabilize your shoulder blade. Hold a light weight in each hand, hanging at your sides. Your thumbs should pointing up.
  2. Begin the movement raising your arms out in front of you, about 30 degrees off center. Your arms should be fully extended as you perform the movement.
  3. Continue until your arms are parallel to the ground, and then return to the starting position.
Dumbbell Standing Around World

2. Dumbbell Standing Around World

94.1% 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.
  2. Extend your arms straight out to the sides at shoulder height, palms facing down.
  3. Keeping your arms straight, slowly rotate your arms in a circular motion, bringing the dumbbells in front of your body and then overhead.
  4. Continue the circular motion, bringing the dumbbells back down to the starting position.
  5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Dumbbell Upright Row

3. Dumbbell Upright Row

93.9% Match
Delts Dumbbell Intermediate Isolation
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.
Crucifix

4. Crucifix

90.7% Match
Delts Other Intermediate Isolation
How to perform this exercise
  1. In the crucifix, you statically hold weights out to the side for time. While the event can be practiced using dumbbells, it is best to practice with one of the various implements used, such as axes and hammers, as it feels different.
  2. Begin standing, and raise your arms out to the side holding the implements. Your arms should be parallel to the ground. In competition, judges or sensors are used to let you know when you break parallel. Hold for as long as you can. Typically, the weights should be heavy enough that you fail in 30-60 seconds.
Dumbbell Lateral Raise

5. Dumbbell Lateral Raise

90.4% 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.
Dumbbell Standing Front Raise Above Head

6. Dumbbell Standing Front Raise Above Head

90% Match
Delts Dumbbell Intermediate Isolation
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.
Dumbbell Incline Raise

7. Dumbbell Incline Raise

89.9% Match
Delts Dumbbell Intermediate Isolation
How to perform this exercise
  1. Sit on an incline bench with a dumbbell in each hand, resting on your thighs.
  2. Lean back on the bench and raise the dumbbells to shoulder height, palms facing forward.
  3. Keeping your back against the bench, exhale and raise the dumbbells above your head, fully extending your arms.
  4. Pause for a moment at the top, then inhale and slowly lower the dumbbells back to shoulder height.
  5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Dumbbell Lateral To Front Raise

8. Dumbbell Lateral To Front Raise

89.9% Match
Delts Dumbbell Intermediate 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 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.
Barbell Front Raise

9. Barbell Front Raise

89.2% Match
Delts Barbell Beginner Isolation
How to perform this exercise
  1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and hold a barbell in front of your thighs with an overhand grip.
  2. Keep your arms straight and lift the barbell forward and upward until it reaches shoulder level.
  3. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower the barbell back down to the starting position.
  4. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Dumbbell One Arm Lateral Raise With Support

10. Dumbbell One Arm Lateral Raise With Support

88.2% Match
Delts Dumbbell Beginner Isolation
How to perform this exercise
  1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and hold a dumbbell in one hand, with your palm facing your body.
  2. Place your other hand on a stable surface, such as a bench or wall, for support.
  3. Keep your back straight and engage your core.
  4. Raise the dumbbell out to the side, keeping your arm straight and your palm facing down.
  5. Continue lifting until your arm is parallel to the ground.

Why You Might Need a Front Dumbbell Raise Alternative

You may substitute the front dumbbell raise for several reasons: shoulder pain with long-lever raises, lack of dumbbells, or a desire for greater loading and progressive overload. The front raise creates high glenohumeral torque because the weight sits at the hand; that long lever can irritate the rotator cuff and subacromial space. Alternatives such as cables, landmine presses, and incline presses shorten the lever, change shear forces, or move the load into a safer plane. When selecting a substitute, cue scapular control — retract slightly and avoid shrugging — to keep the deltoid as the primary mover and protect the cuff.

How to Choose the Right Substitute

Decide based on your goal, equipment, and shoulder tolerance. For strict anterior delt isolation choose cable front raises to maintain constant tension; cue a slow 2–3 second eccentric and lead with the elbow. For heavier loading and joint-friendly biomechanics choose a landmine press or incline press to shorten the lever arm and reduce impingement. If you have unilateral imbalances pick single-arm variations to expose asymmetries. Prioritize exercises that let you control scapular position, limit shoulder elevation, and progress load with small increments for steady hypertrophy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What muscles does Front Dumbbell Raise work?

The front dumbbell raise primarily targets the anterior deltoid, with secondary involvement from the clavicular head of the pectoralis major and the upper trapezius for elevation. The rotator cuff stabilizes the humeral head; keep a slight elbow bend and avoid shrugging to focus tension on the deltoid.

What is the best bodyweight alternative to Front Dumbbell Raise?

A pike push-up (feet elevated for more vertical load) is the best bodyweight option because it increases anterior deltoid recruitment through vertical pressing. Cue a tucked chin and drive the head toward the floor while keeping the hips high to emphasize shoulder loading rather than triceps.

Can I build muscle without doing Front Dumbbell Raise?

Yes. You can build anterior delt mass with pressing movements (overhead press, incline press), cable front raises, and landmine variations using progressive overload. Focus on controlled eccentrics, full range of motion, and incremental load increases to stimulate hypertrophy.

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