Dumbbell Front Raise (Standing Alternating)
Also known as: alternate standing dumbbell front raise, alternating front raise, dumbbell alternating front raise, dumbbell standing alternate raise, standing alternating dumbbell front raise
Each rep here loads only one front delt while your standing torso resists the lopsided pull, adding a modest anti-rotation demand that pressing both bells up together never creates. Set a steady left-right cadence and count total reps, because the alternating rhythm makes it easy to lose track and shortchange the second side.
How to do the Dumbbell Front Raise (Standing Alternating)
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, holding a dumbbell in each hand with your palms facing your body.
- Keep your back straight and your core engaged.
- Raise one dumbbell to the side, keeping your arm straight and your palm facing down.
- Continue lifting until your arm is parallel to the ground.
- Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower the dumbbell back to the starting position.
- Repeat with the other arm.
- Alternate between arms for the desired number of repetitions.
Tip: Lead with the elbows and think of reaching wide rather than lifting up.
Muscles worked
Primary
Delts · Shoulders
Front raises hit the front delt, lateral raises the side, and Y or rear raises the back head; whichever you pick, the burn should build across the top of the shoulder by the last few reps.
Common mistakes
- Swinging from the hips — a small bounce at the bottom is the sign of a weight that is too heavy; lighten it and lift from a dead stop.
- Shrugging as you raise — the traps take over when the shoulders rise toward the ears; keep them down and lead with the elbows.
- Raising far above shoulder height — on lateral and front raises the upper traps take over past parallel, so stop around shoulder level unless the variation is built to go overhead.
- Locked elbows — keep a soft bend in the elbow throughout so the load stays on the shoulder rather than the joint.
Where it fits in a workout
Raises are accessory work and belong after the presses in a shoulder or push session. Superset lateral raises with a rear delt fly for a complete shoulder finisher.
How many sets, how heavy and how hard: see what the ACSM position stands support.
Variations and alternatives
Similar exercises
Without dumbbell
When to talk to someone
- Chest discomfort, feeling faint or lightheaded, or trouble breathing during or after exercise can be signs of a heart attack. In the US, call 911 right away; elsewhere, call your local emergency number.
- Heart, metabolic or kidney disease, or symptoms like these when you are active: talk to your doctor before you start or step up training.
- Pregnant: ask your obstetric care provider which exercise suits you.
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Sources
- ACSM position stand on exercise quantity and quality (Garber et al., 2011)
- ACSM preparticipation health screening (Riebe et al., 2015)
- ACOG Committee Opinion No. 804 on exercise in pregnancy (2020)
- CDC: About Heart Attack Symptoms, Risk, and Recovery (2024)
Sources checked on October 17, 2026. Full citations are in the exercise library.
Animation and exercise data: ExerciseDB, licensed to SetGrip. General information, not medical or coaching advice.