Exercise guide · Shoulders & Traps

Dumbbell Front Raise

Dumbbell front raises target the front delts. Stand tall and lift one or both dumbbells in front of you to shoulder height with a slight bend in the elbows.

  • Targets: Front delts
  • Equipment: Dumbbell
  • Type: Isolation
Dumbbell Front Raise exercise illustration showing the movement position

Step by step

How to do the Dumbbell Front Raise

  1. Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, holding a dumbbell in each hand at your thighs with palms facing your body or each other.
  2. Brace your core and keep a slight, fixed bend in your elbows throughout the set.
  3. Raise one or both dumbbells forward and up in a controlled arc until your arms are roughly parallel to the floor.
  4. Pause briefly at shoulder height, then lower under control back to your thighs.
  5. Alternate arms or lift both together depending on your program. Keep your torso still.

Form cues

  • Soft elbows, not locked straight
  • Lift to shoulder height, not higher
  • Stand tall—no leaning back
  • Control the descent

Common mistakes

  • Swinging the dumbbells with hip momentum
  • Raising above shoulder height
  • Leaning backward to cheat the weight up
  • Using too heavy a weight and losing form

Muscles worked

Primary

Front delts

Secondary

None significant

Safety: Use moderate weight and keep your core braced. Reduce load if you feel lower-back strain from leaning.

Alternatives

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