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Last updated March 5, 2026
Shoulders
Front Raise (Dumbbell)
Stand holding dumbbells. Lift them straight out in front of you to shoulder height. Don't use your hips to swing them up.
Quick facts
- Level
- Beginner
- Mechanic
- Isolation
- Force
- Push
- Type
- Strength
- Injury Risk
- Low
- Hypertrophy
- Medium
- Calorie Burn
- Low
Muscle focus
Primary and secondary muscle groups targeted by this movement.
Primary
Front Shoulders
Secondary
Upper Chest
Equipment & setup
What you need and how to position yourself before starting.
Equipment
Dumbbell
Movement pattern
Bilateral
Posture
Standing
Tracking parameters
repsweight
Step-by-step instructions
Follow these cues to master proper technique and stay safe through every rep.
- Step 1Setup
- Stand upright with your feet shoulder-width apart.
- Hold a dumbbell in each hand, with your arms hanging down at your sides and palms facing your thighs.
- Step 2Position Your Arms
- Keep your elbows slightly bent and your wrists straight.
- Engage your core and maintain a straight posture throughout the exercise.
- Step 3Lift the Dumbbells
- Raise the dumbbells in front of you to shoulder height, keeping your arms straight but not locked.
- Ensure that your palms face down as you lift the weights.
- Step 4Hold the Position
- Pause for a moment at the top of the movement, feeling the contraction in your shoulders.
- Keep your shoulders down and away from your ears during the lift.
- Step 5Lower the Dumbbells
- Slowly lower the dumbbells back to the starting position with control.
- Avoid letting the weights drop quickly; maintain tension in your muscles.
- Step 6Repeat
- Repeat the lift and lower for the desired number of repetitions.
- Focus on maintaining proper form throughout each rep.
- Step 7Finish the Exercise
- After completing your reps, carefully place the dumbbells down at your sides.
- Take a moment to stretch your shoulders and arms if needed.
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