10 Best Single Dumbbell Raise Alternatives for Home or Gym

Ranked Single Dumbbell Raise Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Single 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. Harder versions are tagged as progressions and kept out of the top spot even when they score higher.

1. Best match

   Play demonstration

   1. Dumbbell One Arm Lateral Raise With Support

   99% match

   • Delts
   • Dumbbell
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   It uses the same equipment and still works the delts.

   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.
   6. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower the dumbbell back down to the starting position.
   7. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions, then switch sides.

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

   Why this matches

   • Movement: raise, the same as the Single Dumbbell Raise
   • Primary muscle: delts, the same as the Single Dumbbell Raise
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Single Dumbbell Raise
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Single Dumbbell Raise
2. Play demonstration

   Progression

   2. Dumbbell One Arm Lateral Raise

   99% match

   • Delts
   • Dumbbell
   • Intermediate
   • Isolation

   Pick this when you want a harder version that still works the delts.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, holding a dumbbell in one hand with your palm facing your body.
   2. Keep your back straight and your core engaged throughout the exercise.
   3. Raise the dumbbell to the side, keeping your arm straight and your palm facing down.
   4. Continue lifting until your arm is parallel to the ground.
   5. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower the dumbbell back to the starting position.
   6. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions, then switch to the other arm.

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

   Why this matches

   • Movement: raise, the same as the Single Dumbbell Raise
   • Primary muscle: delts, the same as the Single Dumbbell Raise
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Single Dumbbell Raise
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Single Dumbbell Raise
3. Play demonstration

   3. Landmine Lateral Raise

   98% 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. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and knees slightly bent.
   2. Hold the barbell with an overhand grip, resting it on the front of your shoulders.
   3. Keeping your core engaged and back straight, lift the barbell up and away from your body, raising it to shoulder height.
   4. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower the barbell back down to the starting position.
   5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

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

   Why this matches

   • Movement: raise, the same as the Single Dumbbell Raise
   • Primary muscle: delts, the same as the Single Dumbbell Raise
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Single Dumbbell Raise
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Single Dumbbell Raise
4. 

   4. One-arm Side Laterals

   94% match

   • Delts
   • Dumbbell
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   Pick this when you want to work the delts with less balance to manage.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Pick a dumbbell and place it in one of your hands. Your non lifting hand should be used to grab something steady such as an incline bench press. Lean towards your lifting arm and away from the hand that is gripping the incline bench as this will allow you to keep your balance.
   2. Stand with a straight torso and have the dumbbell by your side at arm's length with the palm of the hand facing you. This will be your starting position.
   3. While maintaining the torso stationary (no swinging), lift the dumbbell to your side with a slight bend on the elbow and your hand slightly tilted forward as if pouring water in a glass. Continue to go up until you arm is parallel to the floor. Exhale as you execute this movement and pause for a second at the top.
   4. Lower the dumbbell back down slowly to the starting position as you inhale.
   5. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
   6. Switch arms and repeat the exercise.

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

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: delts, the same as the Single Dumbbell Raise
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Single Dumbbell Raise
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Single Dumbbell Raise
   • Balance: easier to stay steady on than the Single Dumbbell Raise
5. 

   5. Dumbbell Scaption

   92% 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.

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

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: delts, the same as the Single Dumbbell Raise
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Single Dumbbell Raise
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Single Dumbbell Raise
6. 

   Progression

   6. Side Lateral Raise

   92% match

   • Delts
   • Dumbbell
   • Intermediate
   • Isolation

   How to perform this exercise

   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 the Single Dumbbell Raise
   • Primary muscle: delts, the same as the Single Dumbbell Raise
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Single Dumbbell Raise
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Single Dumbbell Raise
7. Play demonstration

   7. Dumbbell Standing Around World

   92% 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.

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

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: delts, the same as the Single Dumbbell Raise
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Single Dumbbell Raise
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Single Dumbbell Raise
8. 

   Progression

   8. Side Laterals To Front Raise

   92% match

   • Delts
   • Dumbbell
   • Intermediate
   • Isolation

   How to perform this exercise

   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.

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

   Why this matches

   • Movement: raise, the same as the Single Dumbbell Raise
   • Primary muscle: delts, the same as the Single Dumbbell Raise
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Single Dumbbell Raise
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Single Dumbbell Raise
9. 

   Progression

   9. One-arm Incline Lateral Raise

   91% 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 Single Dumbbell Raise
   • Primary muscle: delts, the same as the Single Dumbbell Raise
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Single Dumbbell Raise
   • Body position: seated, not standing
10. Play demonstration

    Progression

    10. Dumbbell Lying One Arm Deltoid Rear

    89% match

    • Delts
    • Dumbbell
    • Intermediate
    • Isolation

    How to perform this exercise

    1. Lie face down on a flat bench with a dumbbell in one hand, palm facing inwards.
    2. Extend your arm straight down towards the floor, keeping it close to your body.
    3. Raise your arm up and back, squeezing your shoulder blade towards your spine.
    4. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower your arm back down to the starting position.
    5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions, then switch arms.

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

    Why this matches

    • Primary muscle: delts, the same as the Single Dumbbell Raise
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Single Dumbbell Raise
    • Body position: lying face down, not standing