10 Best Side Laterals To Front Raise Alternatives for Shoulder Strength

Side Laterals To Front Raise are done standing with dumbbells. Ranked closest by our scoring: the Side Lateral Raise, the Dumbbell Scaption and the Dumbbell Standing Around World.

Side Laterals To Front Raise

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

How to Do Side Laterals To Front Raise

The steps for Side Laterals To Front Raise themselves, so you can judge how close each substitute below really is.

Delts, with traps · Dumbbell · Intermediate · Isolation

  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.

The 10 Best Side Laterals To Front Raise Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches Side Laterals 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.

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

  1. Side Lateral Raise

    1. Side Lateral Raise

    99% match

    Delts · Intermediate · Isolation

    It uses the same equipment and still works the delts.

    • Dumbbell
    How to perform it
    1. Pick a couple of dumbbells and stand with a straight torso and the dumbbells by your side at arms length with the palms of the hand facing you. This will be your starting position.
    2. While maintaining the torso in a stationary position (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 Side Laterals To Front Raise
    • Primary muscle: delts, the same as Side Laterals To Front Raise
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as Side Laterals To Front Raise
    • Body position: standing, the same as Side Laterals To Front Raise
  2. Dumbbell Scaption

    2. Dumbbell Scaption

    99% match

    Delts · Beginner · Isolation

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

    • Dumbbell
    How to perform it
    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.

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

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: delts, the same as Side Laterals To Front Raise
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as Side Laterals To Front Raise
    • Body position: standing, the same as Side Laterals To Front Raise
  4. Standing Dumbbell Straight-arm Front Delt Raise Above Head

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

    96% match

    Delts · Intermediate · Isolation

    The same equipment, taken with an overhand grip.

    • 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 Side Laterals To Front Raise
    • Primary muscle: delts, the same as Side Laterals To Front Raise
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as Side Laterals To Front Raise
    • Body position: standing, the same as Side Laterals To Front Raise

How to Choose the Right Side Laterals To Front Raise Substitute

Match the movement plane, load capacity, and your injury status when selecting a substitute. For lateral head emphasis pick abduction-based moves (cable or single-arm lateral raises) and cue a 90° elbow angle and stop at shoulder height to avoid shrugging. For anterior head work choose front raises or controlled presses with scapular retraction. If you lack weight, use bands or adjust tempo, slow eccentrics increase time under tension. Prioritize exercises that allow full scapulothoracic motion and let you apply progressive overload without pain.

Side Laterals To Front Raise FAQ

What muscles does Side Laterals To Front Raise work?

The side-to-front combo primarily targets the lateral deltoid during the lateral phase and the anterior deltoid during the front-raise phase; upper trapezius and supraspinatus assist. Keep elbows level with the shoulders and avoid excessive torso lean to focus load on the deltoid heads rather than the traps.

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