Dumbbell Raise
A beginner compound strength exercise that works the shoulders, using dumbbells.
Starting position
End position
How to Do Dumbbell Raise
- 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.
- 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.
- Lower the dumbbells back down slowly to the starting position. Inhale as you perform this portion of the movement.
- Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Muscles Worked
Alternatives to Dumbbell Raise
10 movements that train the same primary muscle, closest substitutes first — same kind of training, then variations of the movement itself, then a similar difficulty.
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1
Bent Over Dumbbell Rear Delt Raise With Head On Bench
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the shoulders, using dumbbells.
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2
Dumbbell Incline Shoulder Raise
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the shoulders, using dumbbells.
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3
Front Dumbbell Raise
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the shoulders, using dumbbells.
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4
Front Incline Dumbbell Raise
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the shoulders, using dumbbells.
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5
Front Two-Dumbbell Raise
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the shoulders, using dumbbells.
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6
Single Dumbbell Raise
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the shoulders, using dumbbells.
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7
Barbell Incline Shoulder Raise
A beginner compound strength exercise that works the shoulders, using a barbell.
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8
Cable Seated Lateral Raise
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the shoulders, using a cable machine.
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9
Dumbbell Lying One-Arm Rear Lateral Raise
An intermediate isolation strength exercise that works the shoulders, using dumbbells.
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10
Dumbbell Lying Rear Lateral Raise
An intermediate isolation strength exercise that works the shoulders, using dumbbells.
Frequently Asked Questions
What muscles do dumbbell raise work?
Dumbbell Raise primarily works the shoulders. The biceps assist as secondary muscles.
What equipment do I need for dumbbell raise?
Dumbbell Raise uses dumbbells.
Dumbbell Raise: is it suitable for beginners?
Yes. Dumbbell Raise is rated beginner. Movements you can learn in a session, with a low skill floor and a forgiving failure mode.
What can I do instead of dumbbell raise?
Bent Over Dumbbell Rear Delt Raise With Head On Bench, Dumbbell Incline Shoulder Raise, Front Dumbbell Raise train the same primary muscles and are listed with 7 more alternatives above.
Can Fitnit count my dumbbell raise reps automatically?
Not automatically yet. Fitnit's AI rep counting covers push-ups, squats, dumbbell curls, crunches and pull-ups today; dumbbell raise can be logged manually in the app, and tracked movements are added over time.
Photographs and step-by-step instructions from free-exercise-db, a public-domain exercise dataset. Muscle mapping and alternatives by Fitnit.
Track Your Dumbbell Raise with AI
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