10 Best Weighted Front Raise Alternatives for Front Delt Strength

The Weighted Front Raise is done standing. Ranked closest by our scoring: the Front Dumbbell Raise, the Front Plate Raise and the Front Two-dumbbell Raise.

A missing second dumbbell can rule out the Weighted Front Raise fast, since it lifts two dumbbells together to shoulder height. The Front Dumbbell Raise is the closest swap because it keeps that same standing raise to shoulder height, just one arm at a time instead of both together. The Front Plate Raise holds a single plate in both hands and raises it the same way when a second dumbbell isn't free.

Updated Ranked by our 12-factor similarity model How it works

Original Exercise: Weighted Front Raise

Weighted Front RaisePlay demonstration
Primary muscle
Delts
Equipment
Weighted
Difficulty
Beginner
Type
Isolation

Secondary muscles: Biceps, Forearms

How to perform Weighted Front Raise
  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.
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Ranked Weighted Front Raise Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Weighted Front 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
    Front Dumbbell Raise

    1. Front Dumbbell Raise

    99% match
    • Delts
    • Dumbbell
    • Beginner
    • Isolation

    A straight swap when you want to keep working the delts.

    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 Weighted Front Raise
    • Primary muscle: delts, the same as the Weighted Front Raise
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Weighted Front Raise
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Weighted Front Raise
  2. Front Plate Raise

    2. Front Plate Raise

    99% 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 Weighted Front Raise
    • Primary muscle: delts, the same as the Weighted Front Raise
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Weighted Front Raise
  3. Front Two-dumbbell Raise

    3. Front Two-dumbbell Raise

    99% 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 Weighted Front Raise
    • Primary muscle: delts, the same as the Weighted Front Raise
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Weighted Front Raise
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Weighted Front Raise
  4. Standing Dumbbell Straight-arm Front Delt Raise Above Head

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

    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. 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 Weighted Front Raise
    • Primary muscle: delts, the same as the Weighted Front Raise
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Weighted Front Raise
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Weighted Front Raise
  5. Shoulder Raise

    5. Shoulder Raise

    96% match
    • Delts
    • Dumbbell
    • Beginner
    • Isolation
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Relax your arms to your sides and raise your shoulders up toward your ears, then back down.

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

    Why this matches
    • Movement: raise, the same as the Weighted Front Raise
    • Primary muscle: delts, the same as the Weighted Front Raise
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Weighted Front Raise
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Weighted Front Raise
  6. Side Lateral Raise

    6. Side Lateral Raise

    96% 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 Weighted Front Raise
    • Primary muscle: delts, the same as the Weighted Front Raise
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Weighted Front Raise
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Weighted Front Raise
  7. Side Laterals To Front Raise

    7. Side Laterals To Front Raise

    95% 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 Weighted Front Raise
    • Primary muscle: delts, the same as the Weighted Front Raise
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Weighted Front Raise
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Weighted Front Raise
  8. Dumbbell Scaption

    8. Dumbbell Scaption

    95% 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 Weighted Front Raise
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Weighted Front Raise
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Weighted Front Raise
  9. Dumbbell Standing Around WorldPlay demonstration

    9. Dumbbell Standing Around World

    94% 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 Weighted Front Raise
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Weighted Front Raise
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Weighted Front Raise
  10. Dumbbell Upright RowPlay demonstration

    10. Dumbbell Upright Row

    94% match
    • Delts
    • Dumbbell
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, holding a dumbbell in each hand with an overhand grip.
    2. Let the dumbbells hang in front of your thighs, with your arms fully extended.
    3. Keeping your back straight and your core engaged, exhale and lift the dumbbells straight up towards your chin, leading with your elbows.
    4. Pause for a moment at the top, then inhale and slowly lower the dumbbells back down to the starting position.
    5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

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

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: delts, the same as the Weighted Front Raise
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Weighted Front Raise
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Weighted Front Raise

Why You Might Need a Weighted Front Raise Alternative

The Weighted Front Raise lifts two dumbbells together in front of you to shoulder height, and every alternative keeps the shoulders doing the lifting while changing what you hold or where the arms travel. The Front Two-dumbbell Raise is the same lift under a different name: both dumbbells raised together in front of you to just above shoulder height, so it slots in without any change in technique. The Front Plate Raise swaps in a single plate held with both hands when a second dumbbell isn't around, raised the same way to about shoulder height. The Shoulder Raise drops the raise altogether for a straight shrug of the shoulders, and the Dumbbell Scaption angles the arms about 30 degrees out from center instead of straight ahead.

How to Choose the Right Weighted Front Raise Substitute

Start with the Front Dumbbell Raise if you have two dumbbells and don't mind alternating arms instead of raising together: it keeps the same lift to shoulder height with that one change in rhythm. With only one dumbbell around, the Front Plate Raise gives you a single-weight version using a plate in both hands, while the Front Two-dumbbell Raise keeps the exact two-handed, both-together lift once a second dumbbell is free. If you want the raise to travel somewhere other than straight ahead, the Side Lateral Raise takes the same pair of dumbbells out to your sides instead of in front of you, and the Dumbbell Standing Around World starts with both weights held out at shoulder height and sweeps them in front of you and overhead before bringing them back down.

Weighted Front Raise FAQ

Can I do the Weighted Front Raise at home?

Yes, with a couple of dumbbells. The Front Dumbbell Raise raises them one arm at a time to shoulder height, and the Front Two-dumbbell Raise raises both dumbbells together the same way. Neither needs a bench or a rack, so a small set of dumbbells at home covers either one.

Which alternative works with a single weight instead of two dumbbells?

The Front Plate Raise is built for this: hold one plate in both hands instead of a dumbbell in each, and raise it the same way to about shoulder height. Every dumbbell version starts with a dumbbell in each hand, so a plate is the swap when a second dumbbell isn't free.

Which swap shifts the work away from the front delts?

The Side Lateral Raise takes the same pair of dumbbells out to your sides instead of straight ahead, shifting the raise toward the side of the shoulder. The Shoulder Raise goes further, dropping the raise altogether for a straight shrug of the shoulders up toward your ears.

Which alternative uses the same equipment for a change of pace?

The Standing Dumbbell Straight-arm Front Delt Raise Above Head uses the same two dumbbells as the Weighted Front Raise, but continues the arc all the way overhead instead of stopping at shoulder height. The Dumbbell Scaption also stays on two dumbbells, raising them about 30 degrees out from center rather than straight ahead.

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