Standing Dumbbell Straight-Arm Front Delt Raise Above Head

An intermediate strength exercise for the shoulders, done with a dumbbell.

Movement guide

Standing Dumbbell Straight-Arm Front Delt Raise Above Head

Demand · source-assignedMedium (unreviewed)

Equipment requiredA dumbbell

Muscle focusShoulders

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

Bent Over Dumbbell Rear Delt Raise With Head On Bench demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoBent Over Dumbbell Rear Delt Raise With Head On BenchBeginner · A dumbbell + A bench or box

Similar move, beginner grade.

This move

Standing Dumbbell Straight-Arm Front Delt Raise Above Head demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoStanding Dumbbell Straight-Arm Front Delt Raise Above HeadIntermediate · A dumbbell

Intermediate grade (source-assigned).

Harder option

Barbell rear-delt row demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoBarbell rear-delt rowAdvanced · A barbell

Similar move, advanced 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

Hold the dumbbells in front of your thighs, palms facing your thighs.
Keep your arms straight with a slight bend at the elbows but keep them locked. This will be your starting position.
Raise the dumbbells in a semicircular motion to arm's length overhead as you exhale.
Slowly return to the starting position using the same path as you inhale.

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.

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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.

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What it works

Muscles

Main: Shoulders.

Equipment

A dumbbell

Level

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

Similar moves

Seated bent-over rear delt raise demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoSeated bent-over rear delt raiseIntermediate · A dumbbell + A bench or box

Lying Rear Delt Raise demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoLying Rear Delt RaiseIntermediate · A dumbbell + A bench or box

Standing Front Barbell Raise Over Head demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoStanding Front Barbell Raise Over HeadIntermediate · A barbell

Straight Raises on Incline Bench demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoStraight Raises on Incline BenchBeginner · A barbell + A bench or box

Alternating front raise demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoAlternating front raiseBeginner · A dumbbell

Bent-over cable rear raise demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoBent-over cable rear raiseIntermediate · A cable machine

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Questions people ask

What muscles does the Standing Dumbbell Straight-Arm Front Delt Raise Above Head work?

Mainly the shoulders.

What equipment do I need for the Standing Dumbbell Straight-Arm Front Delt Raise Above Head?

A dumbbell.

Is the Standing Dumbbell Straight-Arm Front Delt Raise Above Head good for beginners?

It is graded intermediate. The grade comes from the source database and has not been independently reviewed. If it is too hard right now, start with the Bent Over Dumbbell Rear Delt Raise With Head On Bench.

What is an easier alternative to the Standing Dumbbell Straight-Arm Front Delt Raise Above Head?

Try the Bent Over Dumbbell Rear Delt Raise With Head On Bench. It works similar muscles at a lower grade.

How do I make the Standing Dumbbell Straight-Arm Front Delt Raise Above Head harder?

Progress to the Barbell rear-delt row, or add load, range or slower lowering once your form is solid.