10 Best Standing Low-pulley Deltoid Raise Alternatives for Home or Gym

Ranked Standing Low-pulley Deltoid Raise Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Standing Low-pulley Deltoid 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 Cable Raise

   88% match

   • Delts
   • Cable
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   The same equipment, taken with an overhand grip.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Select the weight on a low pulley machine and grasp the single hand cable attachment that is attached to the low pulley with your left hand.
   2. Face away from the pulley and put your arm straight down with the hand cable attachment in front of your thighs at arms' length with the palms of the hand facing your thighs. This will be your starting position.
   3. While maintaining the torso stationary (no swinging), lift the left arm to the front with a slight bend on the elbow and the palms of the hand always faces 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.
   4. Now as you inhale lower the arm back down slowly to the starting position.
   5. Once all of the recommended amount of repetitions have been performed for this arm, switch arms and perform the exercise with the right one.

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

   Why this matches

   • Movement: raise, the same as the Standing Low-pulley Deltoid Raise
   • Primary muscle: delts, the same as the Standing Low-pulley Deltoid Raise
   • Equipment: a cable, the same as the Standing Low-pulley Deltoid Raise
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Standing Low-pulley Deltoid Raise
2. Play demonstration

   2. Landmine Lateral Raise

   86% 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 Standing Low-pulley Deltoid Raise
   • Primary muscle: delts, the same as the Standing Low-pulley Deltoid Raise
   • Equipment: free weights, not a cable
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Standing Low-pulley Deltoid Raise
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Standing Low-pulley Deltoid Raise
3. 

   3. Cable Seated Lateral Raise

   84% match

   • Delts
   • Cable
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   The same equipment, done seated instead.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Stand in the middle of two low pulleys that are opposite to each other and place a flat bench right behind you (in perpendicular fashion to you; the narrow edge of the bench should be the one behind you). Select the weight to be used on each pulley.
   2. Now sit at the edge of the flat bench behind you with your feet placed in front of your knees.
   3. Bend forward while keeping your back flat and rest your torso on the thighs.
   4. Have someone give you the single handles attached to the pulleys. Grasp the left pulley with the right hand and the right pulley with the left after you select your weight. The pulleys should run under your knees and your arms will be extended with palms facing each other and a slight bend at the elbows. This will be the starting position.
   5. While keeping the arms stationary, raise the upper arms to the sides until they are parallel to the floor and at shoulder height. Exhale during the execution of this movement and hold the contraction for a second.
   6. Slowly lower your arms to the starting position as you inhale.
   7. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions. Tip: Maintain upper arms perpendicular to torso and a fixed elbow position (10 degree to 30 degree angle) throughout exercise.

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

   Why this matches

   • Movement: raise, the same as the Standing Low-pulley Deltoid Raise
   • Primary muscle: delts, the same as the Standing Low-pulley Deltoid Raise
   • Equipment: a cable, the same as the Standing Low-pulley Deltoid Raise
   • Body position: seated, not standing
4. Play demonstration

   4. Dumbbell One Arm Lateral Raise With Support

   84% match

   • Delts
   • Dumbbell
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   A good swap when you have dumbbells to work with, and it 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 Standing Low-pulley Deltoid Raise
   • Primary muscle: delts, the same as the Standing Low-pulley Deltoid Raise
   • Equipment: free weights, not a cable
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Standing Low-pulley Deltoid Raise
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Standing Low-pulley Deltoid Raise
5. 

   5. Single Dumbbell Raise

   84% match

   • Delts
   • Dumbbell
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   How to perform this exercise

   1. With a wide stance, hold a dumbell with both hands, grasping the head of the dumbbell instead of the handle. Your arms should be extended and hanging at the waist. This will be your starting position.
   2. Raise the weight until it is above shoulder level, keeping your arms extended. Your torso and hips should remain stationary throughout the movement.
   3. Return to the starting position and repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

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

   Why this matches

   • Movement: raise, the same as the Standing Low-pulley Deltoid Raise
   • Primary muscle: delts, the same as the Standing Low-pulley Deltoid Raise
   • Equipment: free weights, not a cable
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Standing Low-pulley Deltoid Raise
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Standing Low-pulley Deltoid Raise
6. Play demonstration

   6. Cable Forward Raise

   83% match

   • Delts
   • Cable
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   It still works the delts, through a different movement.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your knees slightly bent.
   2. Hold the cable handle with an overhand grip, palms facing down, and your arms fully extended in front of you.
   3. Keeping your arms straight, raise the cable handle up to shoulder level.
   4. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower the cable handle 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

   • Primary muscle: delts, the same as the Standing Low-pulley Deltoid Raise
   • Equipment: a cable, the same as the Standing Low-pulley Deltoid Raise
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Standing Low-pulley Deltoid Raise
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Standing Low-pulley Deltoid Raise
7. Play demonstration

   7. Cable Front Shoulder Raise

   83% match

   • Delts
   • Cable
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and grasp the cable handle with an overhand grip.
   2. Keep your back straight and your core engaged.
   3. Raise the cable handle in front of you, keeping your arms straight and your palms facing down.
   4. Continue lifting until your arms are parallel to the floor.
   5. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower the cable handle back to the starting position.
   6. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

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

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: delts, the same as the Standing Low-pulley Deltoid Raise
   • Equipment: a cable, the same as the Standing Low-pulley Deltoid Raise
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Standing Low-pulley Deltoid Raise
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Standing Low-pulley Deltoid Raise
8. Play demonstration

   8. Dumbbell One Arm Lateral Raise

   83% match

   • Delts
   • Dumbbell
   • Intermediate
   • Isolation

   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 Standing Low-pulley Deltoid Raise
   • Primary muscle: delts, the same as the Standing Low-pulley Deltoid Raise
   • Equipment: free weights, not a cable
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Standing Low-pulley Deltoid Raise
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Standing Low-pulley Deltoid Raise
9. Play demonstration

   9. Lever Lateral Raise

   82% match

   • Delts
   • Lever
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Adjust the seat height and position yourself on the machine with your back against the pad.
   2. Grasp the handles with an overhand grip and keep your arms straight.
   3. Exhale and raise your arms out to the sides until they are parallel to the floor.
   4. Pause for a moment at the top, then inhale and slowly lower your arms back 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

   • Movement: raise, the same as the Standing Low-pulley Deltoid Raise
   • Primary muscle: delts, the same as the Standing Low-pulley Deltoid Raise
   • Equipment: a machine, not a cable
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Standing Low-pulley Deltoid Raise
10. 

    10. One-arm Side Laterals

    82% match

    • Delts
    • Dumbbell
    • Beginner
    • Isolation

    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 Standing Low-pulley Deltoid Raise
    • Equipment: free weights, not a cable
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Standing Low-pulley Deltoid Raise