10 Best Front Incline Dumbbell Raise Alternatives for Limited Equipment

The Front Incline Dumbbell Raise is done seated with dumbbells. Ranked closest by our scoring: the Seated Side Lateral Raise, the Dumbbell Incline Raise and the Standing Dumbbell Straight-arm Front Delt Raise Above Head.

Front Incline Dumbbell Raise

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

How to Do the Front Incline Dumbbell Raise

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

Delts · Dumbbell · Intermediate · Isolation

  1. Sit down on an incline bench with the incline set anywhere between 30 to 60 degrees while holding a dumbbell on each hand. Tip: You can change the angle to hit the muscle a little differently each time.
  2. Extend your arms straight in front of you and have your palms facing down with the dumbbells raised about 1 inch above your thighs. This will be your starting position.
  3. Slowly raise the dumbbells straight up until they are slightly above your shoulders, while keeping your elbows locked. Squeeze at the top for a second and make sure you breathe out during this portion of the movement. Tip: Keep your head resting down against the bench and your legs on the floor at all times.
  4. Lower the arms back to the starting position as you inhale.
  5. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

The 10 Best Front Incline Dumbbell Raise Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Front Incline Dumbbell 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.

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

  1. Seated Side Lateral Raise

    1. Seated Side Lateral Raise

    95% match

    Delts · Beginner · Isolation

    Pick this when you want an easier version that still works the delts.

    • Dumbbell
    How to perform it
    1. Pick a couple of dumbbells and sit at the end of a flat bench with your feet firmly on the floor. Hold the dumbbells with your palms facing in and your arms straight down at your sides at arms' length. This will be your starting position.
    2. While maintaining the torso stationary (no swinging), lift the dumbbells to your side with a slight bend on the elbow and the hands slightly tilted forward as if pouring water in a glass. Continue to go up until you arms are parallel to the floor. Exhale as you execute this movement and pause for a second at the top.
    3. Lower the dumbbells back down slowly to the starting position as you inhale.
    4. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

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

    Why this matches
    • Movement: raise, the same as the Front Incline Dumbbell Raise
    • Primary muscle: delts, the same as the Front Incline Dumbbell Raise
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Front Incline Dumbbell Raise
    • Body position: seated, the same as the Front Incline Dumbbell Raise
  3. Standing Dumbbell Straight-arm Front Delt Raise Above Head

    3. Standing Dumbbell Straight-arm Front Delt Raise Above Head

    91% match

    Delts · Intermediate · Isolation

    The same equipment, done standing instead.

    • Dumbbell
    How to perform it
    1. Hold the dumbbells in front of your thighs, palms facing your thighs.
    2. Keep your arms straight with a slight bend at the elbows but keep them locked. This will be your starting position.
    3. Raise the dumbbells in a semicircular motion to arm's length overhead as you exhale.
    4. Slowly return to the starting position using the same path as you inhale.
    5. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

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

    Why this matches
    • Movement: raise, the same as the Front Incline Dumbbell Raise
    • Primary muscle: delts, the same as the Front Incline Dumbbell Raise
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Front Incline Dumbbell Raise
    • Body position: standing, not seated
  4. Smith Incline Shoulder Raise

    4. Smith Incline Shoulder Raise

    91% match

    Delts · Intermediate · Isolation

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

    • Barbell
    How to perform it
    1. Place an incline bench underneath the smith machine. Place the barbell at a height that you can reach when lying down and your arms are almost fully extended. Once the weight you need is selected, lie down on the incline bench and make sure your shoulders are aligned right under the barbell.
    2. Using a shoulder width pronated (palms forward) grip, lift the bar from the rack and hold it straight over you with a slight bend at the elbows. This will be your starting position.
    3. As you breathe out, lift the bar up until your arms are fully extended. Note: The contraction should be felt around the shoulders.
    4. After a second pause, bring the bar back down to the starting position as you breathe in.
    5. Repeat the movement for the prescribed amount of repetitions.
    6. When you are done, place the bar back in the rack.

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

    Why this matches
    • Movement: raise, the same as the Front Incline Dumbbell Raise
    • Primary muscle: delts, the same as the Front Incline Dumbbell Raise
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Front Incline Dumbbell Raise
    • Body position: lying face down, not seated

Why You Might Need a Front Incline Dumbbell Raise Alternative

You might substitute the front incline dumbbell raise for shoulder pain, lack of an incline bench, or to vary stimulus. Pain often stems from impingement or overactive upper traps; swapping to a cable raise or plate raise lets you change line of pull and reduce compressive load on the glenohumeral joint. For rehab, a wall slide or light single-arm raise reduces shear while preserving anterior deltoid activation. If you need progressive overload, landmine presses or cable single-arm raises allow incrementally heavier loads and constant tension. Technique cue: lead with the elbow and avoid shrugging to keep activation focused on the anterior deltoid instead of the traps.

Front Incline Dumbbell Raise FAQ

What muscles does Front Incline Dumbbell Raise work?

The front incline dumbbell raise primarily targets the anterior deltoid through shoulder flexion. It also recruits the clavicular head of the pectoralis major for flexion assistance and relies on the serratus and trapezius for scapular control; cue: avoid shrugging so the deltoid, not the traps, does the work.

Can I build muscle without doing Front Incline Dumbbell Raise?

Yes. You can build anterior deltoid size and strength with other isolation moves, targeted compound presses, and progressive overload. Use controlled eccentrics (2-3 seconds), full but pain-free range of motion, and increase load or reps over time to drive hypertrophy without that specific raise.

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