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.

Weighted Front RaiseWatch the Weighted Front Raise

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

How to Do the Weighted Front Raise

The steps for the Weighted Front Raise itself, so you can judge how close each substitute below really is.

Delts, with biceps, forearms · Weighted · Beginner · Isolation

  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.

The 10 Best 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. 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. Front Dumbbell Raise

    1. Front Dumbbell Raise

    99% match

    Delts · Beginner · Isolation

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

    • Dumbbell
    How to perform it
    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
  4. Standing Dumbbell Straight-arm Front Delt Raise Above Head

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

    99% match

    Delts · Intermediate · Isolation

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

    • 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 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

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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