Smith Incline Shoulder Raise

A beginner strength exercise for the shoulders and chest, done with a barbell and a bench or box.

Movement guide

Smith Incline Shoulder Raise

Demand · source-assignedEasy (unreviewed)

Equipment requiredA barbell + A bench or box

Muscle focusShoulders · Chest

Gets into position, then repeats the movement. Technical checks passed; qualified exercise review is pending.

Watch it bigger, and flip through similar moves, in the studio.Open in the studio

Make it easier or harder

Start where you can move well, then step up.

Easier option

This is already one of the gentlest options for these muscles.

This move

Smith Incline Shoulder Raise demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoSmith Incline Shoulder RaiseBeginner · A barbell + A bench or box

Beginner grade (source-assigned).

Harder option

Barbell Shoulder Press demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoBarbell Shoulder PressIntermediate · A barbell + A bench or box

Similar move, intermediate grade.

Imported reference · editorial review pending. Clinical review is pending.

This entry comes from an external exercise database. Its instructions and difficulty have not completed our editorial or qualified clinical review.

How to move

Place an incline bench underneath the smith machine. Place the barbell at a height that you can reach when lying down and your arms are almost fully extended. Once the weight you need is selected, lie down on the incline bench and make sure your shoulders are aligned right under the barbell.
Using a shoulder width pronated (palms forward) grip, lift the bar from the rack and hold it straight over you with a slight bend at the elbows. This will be your starting position.
As you breathe out, lift the bar up until your arms are fully extended. Note: The contraction should be felt around the shoulders.
After a second pause, bring the bar back down to the starting position as you breathe in.
When you are done, place the bar back in the rack.

Practice and cautions

No dose has been assigned. Any timing or repetition examples in the imported instructions are source examples, not an individualized recommendation.

Imported community instructions and difficulty labels have not been independently reviewed for technique or individual suitability. Equipment labels may include additions inferred from the setup text; check the instructions for the exact support or alternatives. Stop for sharp or increasing pain, numbness or tingling; seek qualified guidance for symptoms, unfamiliar equipment or advanced skills.

Add to a routine Log a session

Sources and review status

Sources support the educational description; they do not establish that this exercise is suitable for you.

Free Exercise DB · community text ↗
Unlicense · Free Exercise DB contributors; derived from wrkout/exercises.json. Text import; no photographs or media. · Revision f00c92c7dcf1216a928a52c3706c7ce8e2f71ed5

No variation is labeled clinically validated.

Loading movement options…

What it works

Muscles

Main: Shoulders. Also: Chest.

Equipment

A barbell + A bench or box

Level

Beginner (source-assigned, not yet reviewed). See the easier and harder options above.

Similar moves

Alternating front raise demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoAlternating front raiseBeginner · A dumbbell

Barbell shoulder-blade punch demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoBarbell shoulder-blade punchBeginner · A barbell + A bench or box

Cable front raise demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoCable front raiseBeginner · A cable machine

Cable lateral raise demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoCable lateral raiseBeginner · A cable machine

Dumbbell shoulder-blade punch demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoDumbbell shoulder-blade punchBeginner · A dumbbell + A bench or box

Front raise demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoFront raiseBeginner · A dumbbell

Browse more

Questions people ask

What muscles does the Smith Incline Shoulder Raise work?

Mainly the shoulders, with help from the chest.

What equipment do I need for the Smith Incline Shoulder Raise?

A barbell + A bench or box.

Is the Smith Incline Shoulder Raise good for beginners?

It is graded beginner, so it suits most people starting out. The grade comes from the source database and has not been independently reviewed. When it feels easy, try the Barbell Shoulder Press.

How do I make the Smith Incline Shoulder Raise harder?

Progress to the Barbell Shoulder Press, or add load, range or slower lowering once your form is solid.