Standing Front Barbell Raise Over Head

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

Movement guide

Standing Front Barbell Raise Over Head

Demand · source-assignedMedium (unreviewed)

Equipment requiredA barbell

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 Front Barbell Raise Over Head demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoStanding Front Barbell Raise Over HeadIntermediate · A barbell

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

To begin, stand straight with a barbell in your hands. You should grip the bar with palms facing down and a closer than shoulder width grip apart from each other.
Your feet should be shoulder width apart from each other. Your elbows should be slightly bent. This is the starting position.
Lift the barbell up until it is directly over your head while exhaling. Make sure to keep your elbows slightly bent when performing each repetition.
Once you feel the contraction, begin to lower the barbell back down to the starting position 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.

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.

Equipment

A barbell

Level

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

Similar moves

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

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

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 lateral raise demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoDumbbell lateral raiseBeginner · A dumbbell

Browse more

Questions people ask

What muscles does the Standing Front Barbell Raise Over Head work?

Mainly the shoulders.

What equipment do I need for the Standing Front Barbell Raise Over Head?

A barbell.

Is the Standing Front Barbell Raise Over 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 Front Barbell Raise Over 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 Front Barbell Raise Over Head harder?

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