Dumbbell Raise — start position
Start
Dumbbell Raise — end position
End

Shoulders / Beginner / Compound (multi-joint)

Dumbbell Raise

A dumbbell exercise for the front delts, with the biceps assisting.

At a glance

Primary
Front delts
Secondary
Biceps
Equipment
Dumbbells
Movement pattern
Reverse fly
Level
Beginner
Type
Shoulders, Compound (multi-joint)

How to do it

  1. Grab a dumbbell in each arm and stand up straight with your arms extended by your sides with a slight bend at the elbows and your back straight. This will be your starting position. Tip: The dumbbell should be next to your thighs with the palm of your hands facing back.
  2. Use your side shoulders to lift the dumbbells as you exhale. The dumbbells should be to the side of the body as you move them up. Continue to lift it until the dumbbells are nearly in line with your chin. Tip: Your elbows should drive the motion. As you lift the dumbbell, your elbow should always be higher than your forearm. Also, keep your torso stationary and pause for a second at the top of the movement.
  3. Lower the dumbbells back down slowly to the starting position. Inhale as you perform this portion of the movement.
  4. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

Open in the appGet started

Muscles worked

Neck (Front)Upper traps (Front)Front delts — primary (Front)Side delts (Front)Chest (Front)Serratus anterior (Front)Biceps — secondary (Front)Forearms & grip (Front)Abs (Front)Obliques (Front)Hip flexors (Front)Quads (Front)Adductors (Front)Shins (tibialis) (Front)Calves (Front)Outer shins (peroneals) (Front)Feet (arch & toes) (Front)Neck (Back)Upper traps (Back)Upper back (rhomboids, mid/lower traps) (Back)Rear delts (Back)Side delts (Back)Rotator cuff (Back)Lats (Back)Lower back (erectors) (Back)Triceps (Back)Forearms & grip (Back)Hip abductors (glute med) (Back)Glutes (Back)Hamstrings (Back)Adductors (Back)Calves (Back)
FrontBack
  • Primary: Front delts
  • Secondary: Biceps

Best for

How specific this exercise is to each movement.

Photos and instructions: free-exercise-db (github.com/yuhonas/free-exercise-db), public domain.