10 Best Smith Incline Shoulder Raise Alternatives for Limited Equipment

Ranked Smith Incline Shoulder Raise Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Smith Incline Shoulder 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. Front Plate Raise

   91% match

   • Delts
   • Other
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

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

   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 Smith Incline Shoulder Raise
   • Primary muscle: delts, the same as the Smith Incline Shoulder Raise
   • Body position: standing, not lying face down
2. Play demonstration

   2. 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 Smith Incline Shoulder Raise
   • Primary muscle: delts, the same as the Smith Incline Shoulder Raise
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Smith Incline Shoulder Raise
   • Body position: standing, not lying face down
3. 

   3. Straight Raises On Incline Bench

   87% match

   • Delts
   • Barbell
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Place a bar on the ground behind the head of an incline bench.
   2. Lay on the bench face down. With a pronated grip, pick the barbell up from the floor, keeping your arms straight. Allow the bar to hang straight down. This will be your starting position.
   3. To begin, raise the barbell out in front of your head while keeping your arms extended.
   4. Return to the starting position.

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

   Why this matches

   • Movement: raise, the same as the Smith Incline Shoulder Raise
   • Primary muscle: delts, the same as the Smith Incline Shoulder Raise
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Smith Incline Shoulder Raise
   • Body position: lying on your back, not lying face down
4. 

   4. Standing Front Barbell Raise Over Head

   86% match

   • Delts
   • Barbell
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   The same equipment, done standing instead.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. To begin, stand straight with a barbell in your hands. You should grip the bar with palms facing down and a closer than shoulder width grip apart from each other.
   2. Your feet should be shoulder width apart from each other. Your elbows should be slightly bent. This is the starting position.
   3. Lift the barbell up until it is directly over your head while exhaling. Make sure to keep your elbows slightly bent when performing each repetition.
   4. Once you feel the contraction, begin to lower the barbell back down to the starting position as you inhale.
   5. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Movement: raise, the same as the Smith Incline Shoulder Raise
   • Primary muscle: delts, the same as the Smith Incline Shoulder Raise
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Smith Incline Shoulder Raise
   • Body position: standing, not lying face down
5. 

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

   83% match

   • Delts
   • Dumbbell
   • Intermediate
   • Isolation

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

   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 Smith Incline Shoulder Raise
   • Primary muscle: delts, the same as the Smith Incline Shoulder Raise
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Smith Incline Shoulder Raise
   • Body position: standing, not lying face down
6. 

   6. Front Dumbbell Raise

   82% 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 Smith Incline Shoulder Raise
   • Primary muscle: delts, the same as the Smith Incline Shoulder Raise
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Smith Incline Shoulder Raise
   • Body position: standing, not lying face down
7. 

   7. Front Two-dumbbell Raise

   82% 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 Smith Incline Shoulder Raise
   • Primary muscle: delts, the same as the Smith Incline Shoulder Raise
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Smith Incline Shoulder Raise
   • Body position: standing, not lying face down
8. 

   8. Front Incline Dumbbell Raise

   82% match

   • Delts
   • Dumbbell
   • Intermediate
   • Isolation

   How to perform this exercise

   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.

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

   Why this matches

   • Movement: raise, the same as the Smith Incline Shoulder Raise
   • Primary muscle: delts, the same as the Smith Incline Shoulder Raise
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Smith Incline Shoulder Raise
   • Body position: seated, not lying face down
9. Play demonstration

   9. Dumbbell Incline Raise

   81% 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 Smith Incline Shoulder Raise
   • Primary muscle: delts, the same as the Smith Incline Shoulder Raise
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Smith Incline Shoulder Raise
   • Body position: lying on your back, not lying face down
   • Balance: easier to stay steady on than the Smith Incline Shoulder Raise
10. Play demonstration

    10. Kettlebell Pirate Supper Legs

    81% match

    • Delts
    • Kettlebell
    • Intermediate
    • Compound

    How to perform this exercise

    1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, holding a kettlebell in one hand.
    2. Bend your knees slightly and hinge forward at the hips, keeping your back straight.
    3. Raise the kettlebell up to shoulder height, keeping your elbow close to your body.
    4. Extend your arm fully overhead, straightening your elbow.
    5. Lower the kettlebell back down to shoulder height, then return to the starting position.
    6. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions, then switch sides.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

    Why this matches

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