10 Best Weighted Front Raise Alternatives for Front Delt Strength

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

   

   1. Handstand Push-ups

   50% match

   • Delts
   • Bodyweight
   • Advanced
   • Compound

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

   How to perform this exercise

   1. With your back to the wall bend at the waist and place both hands on the floor at shoulder width.
   2. Kick yourself up against the wall with your arms straight. Your body should be upside down with the arms and legs fully extended. Keep your whole body as straight as possible. Tip: If doing this for the first time, have a spotter help you. Also, make sure that you keep facing the wall with your head, rather than looking down.
   3. Slowly lower yourself to the ground as you inhale until your head almost touches the floor. Tip: It is of utmost importance that you come down slow in order to avoid head injury.
   4. Push yourself back up slowly as you exhale until your elbows are nearly locked.
   5. Repeat for the recommended amount 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: bodyweight only, not free weights
   • Body position: inverted, not standing
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Weighted Front Raise
2. Play demonstration

   2. Incline Push-up (On Box)

   49% match

   • Pectorals
   • Bodyweight
   • Beginner
   • Compound

   A looser match: it works the pectorals rather than the delts.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Place your hands on the edge of a box or elevated surface, slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
   2. Extend your legs behind you, resting on the balls of your feet, creating a straight line from your head to your heels.
   3. Lower your chest towards the box by bending your elbows, keeping your body in a straight line.
   4. Pause for a moment at the bottom, then push yourself back up to the starting position by straightening your arms.
   5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps, and add reps before you add load.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: pectorals, not delts
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Weighted Front Raise
3. Play demonstration

   3. Modified Hindu Push-up

   48% match

   • Pectorals
   • Bodyweight
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Start in a push-up position with your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart and your feet hip-width apart.
   2. Lower your body towards the ground, bending your elbows and keeping your core engaged.
   3. As you lower your body, shift your weight back and lift your hips up towards the ceiling, creating an inverted V shape with your body.
   4. Continue to lower your body until your chest is just above the ground, then reverse the movement, pushing your hips back down and extending your arms to return 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: pectorals, not delts
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Weighted Front Raise
4. Play demonstration

   4. Handstand Push-up

   47% match

   • Delts
   • Bodyweight
   • Advanced
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Find a wall and face away from it, standing a few feet away.
   2. Place your hands on the ground shoulder-width apart and kick your feet up against the wall, coming into a handstand position.
   3. Bend your elbows and lower your head towards the ground, keeping your body in a straight line.
   4. Push through your hands and extend your arms to return 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: bodyweight only, not free weights
   • Body position: inverted, not standing
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Weighted Front Raise
5. Play demonstration

   5. Left Hook. Boxing

   45% match

   • Delts
   • Bodyweight
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   Pick this when you want a harder version that works the delts one side at a time.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your knees slightly bent.
   2. Keep your left hand up to protect your face and your right hand by your chin.
   3. Rotate your hips and pivot on your left foot as you extend your left arm forward in a punching motion.
   4. Twist your torso and engage your core muscles to generate power in the punch.
   5. Snap your arm back to the starting position and repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

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

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: delts, the same as the Weighted Front Raise
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Weighted Front Raise
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Weighted Front Raise
6. Play demonstration

   6. Triceps Dip (Between Benches)

   45% match

   • Triceps
   • Bodyweight
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   A looser match: it works the triceps rather than the delts.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Sit on a bench with your hands gripping the edge of the bench, fingers pointing forward.
   2. Slide your butt off the bench, supporting your weight with your hands.
   3. Bend your elbows and lower your body towards the ground, keeping your back close to the bench.
   4. Pause for a moment at the bottom, then push yourself back up 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: triceps, not delts
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Weighted Front Raise
7. Play demonstration

   7. Push-up (Wall)

   44% match

   • Pectorals
   • Bodyweight
   • Beginner
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Stand facing a wall, about arm's length away.
   2. Place your hands on the wall at shoulder height, slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
   3. Step back with your feet, keeping them hip-width apart.
   4. Engage your core and keep your body in a straight line from head to heels.
   5. Bend your elbows and lower your chest towards the wall, keeping your body straight.
   6. Pause for a moment, then push yourself back to the starting position.
   7. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps, and add reps before you add load.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: pectorals, not delts
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Weighted Front Raise
   • Balance: easier to stay steady on than the Weighted Front Raise
8. Play demonstration

   8. Kneeling Push-up

   42% match

   • Pectorals
   • Bodyweight
   • Beginner
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Start by kneeling on the ground with your hands shoulder-width apart, fingers pointing forward.
   2. Extend your legs behind you, resting on the balls of your feet, so that your body forms a straight line from head to heels.
   3. Engage your core and lower your body towards the ground by bending your elbows, keeping them close to your sides.
   4. Continue lowering until your chest is just above the ground, then push back up to the starting position by straightening your arms.
   5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps, and add reps before you add load.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: pectorals, not delts
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
   • Body position: kneeling, not standing
9. 

   9. Pushups

   42% match

   • Pectorals
   • Bodyweight
   • Beginner
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Lie on the floor face down and place your hands about 36 inches apart while holding your torso up at arms length.
   2. Next, lower yourself downward until your chest almost touches the floor as you inhale.
   3. Now breathe out and press your upper body back up to the starting position while squeezing your chest.
   4. After a brief pause at the top contracted position, you can begin to lower yourself downward again for as many repetitions as needed.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps, and add reps before you add load.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: pectorals, not delts
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
   • Body position: lying face down, not standing
10. Play demonstration

    10. Body-up

    41% match

    • Triceps
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound

    How to perform this exercise

    1. Start by placing your hands on a raised surface, such as a bench or parallel bars, with your palms facing down and fingers pointing forward.
    2. Extend your legs out in front of you, keeping your heels on the ground and your body straight.
    3. Lower your body by bending your elbows, keeping them close to your sides, until your upper arms are parallel to the ground.
    4. Pause for a moment, then push through your palms to straighten your arms and lift your body back up 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: triceps, not delts
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: lying face down, not standing