10 Best Front Incline Dumbbell Raise Alternatives for Limited Equipment

Ranked 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. Open "How to perform this exercise" on a card for the steps; every card title links to that exercise's own alternatives page.

1. Best match

   

   1. Seated Side Lateral Raise

   95% match

   • Delts
   • Dumbbell
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

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

   How to perform this exercise

   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
2. Play demonstration

   2. Dumbbell Incline Raise

   91% 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.

   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 on your back, not seated
3. 

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

   91% match

   • Delts
   • Dumbbell
   • Intermediate
   • Isolation

   The same equipment, done standing instead.

   How to perform this exercise

   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. 

   4. Smith Incline Shoulder Raise

   91% match

   • Delts
   • Barbell
   • Intermediate
   • Isolation

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

   How to perform this exercise

   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
5. 

   5. Front Dumbbell Raise

   91% match

   • Delts
   • Dumbbell
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   How to perform this exercise

   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.

   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
6. 

   6. Front Two-dumbbell Raise

   91% match

   • Delts
   • Dumbbell
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   How to perform this exercise

   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 dumbbells 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 arms are slightly above parallel to the floor. Exhale as you execute this portion of the movement and pause for a second at the top.
   3. As you inhale, lower the dumbbells back down slowly to the starting position.
   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: standing, not seated
7. 

   7. Front Plate Raise

   91% match

   • Delts
   • Other
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   How to perform this exercise

   1. While standing straight, hold a barbell plate in both hands at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions. Your palms should be facing each other and your arms should be extended and locked with a slight bend at the elbows and the plate should be down near your waist in front of you as far as you can go. Tip: The arms will remain in this position throughout the exercise. This will be your starting position.
   2. Slowly raise the plate as you exhale until it is a little above shoulder level. Hold the contraction for a second. Tip: make sure that you do not swing the weight or bend at the elbows. Your torso should remain stationary throughout the movement as well.
   3. As you inhale, slowly lower the plate back down to the starting position.
   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
   • Body position: standing, not seated
8. Play demonstration

   8. Weighted Front Raise

   91% match

   • Delts
   • Weighted
   • Beginner
   • 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 thighs.
   2. Keeping your arms straight, exhale and lift the dumbbells in front of you until they are at shoulder level.
   3. Pause for a moment at the top, then inhale and slowly lower the dumbbells back down to the starting position.
   4. 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 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
9. Play demonstration

   9. Dumbbell Seated Front Raise

   89% match

   • Delts
   • Dumbbell
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Sit on a bench with your feet flat on the ground and a dumbbell in each hand, resting on your thighs.
   2. Keep your back straight and core engaged.
   3. Raise the dumbbells in front of you, with your palms facing down, until they are at shoulder level.
   4. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower the dumbbells 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

   • 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
10. 

    10. One-arm Incline Lateral Raise

    87% match

    • Delts
    • Dumbbell
    • Intermediate
    • Isolation

    How to perform this exercise

    1. Lie down sideways on an incline bench press with a dumbbell in the hand. Make sure the shoulder is pressing against the incline bench and the arm is lying across your body with the palm around your navel.
    2. Hold a dumbbell in your uppermost arm while keeping it extended in front of you parallel to the floor. This is your starting position.
    3. While keeping the dumbbell parallel to the floor at all times, perform a lateral raise. Your arm should travel straight up until it is pointing at the ceiling. Tip: Exhale as you perform this movement. Hold the dumbbell in the position and feel the contraction in the shoulders for a second.
    4. While inhaling lower the weight across your body back into the starting position.
    5. Repeat the movement for the prescribed amount of repetitions.
    6. Switch arms and repeat the movement.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps on each side.

    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
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Front Incline Dumbbell Raise