Single Dumbbell Raise

A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the shoulders, using dumbbells.

Single Dumbbell Raise — Starting position Starting position
Single Dumbbell Raise — End position End position
Difficulty Beginner
Type Strength
Equipment Dumbbells
Primary Muscle Shoulders
AI Rep Counting Log manually

How to Do Single Dumbbell Raise

  1. With a wide stance, hold a dumbell with both hands, grasping the head of the dumbbell instead of the handle. Your arms should be extended and hanging at the waist. This will be your starting position.
  2. Raise the weight until it is above shoulder level, keeping your arms extended. Your torso and hips should remain stationary throughout the movement.
  3. Return to the starting position and repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

Muscles Worked

Front
Back

Primary

Where Single Dumbbell Raise does most of its work.

Secondary

Assisting and stabilising muscles.

Alternatives to Single 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.

  1. 1 Bent Over Dumbbell Rear Delt Raise With Head On Bench

    Bent Over Dumbbell Rear Delt Raise With Head On Bench

    A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the shoulders, using dumbbells.

    beginner Dumbbells
  2. 2 Dumbbell Incline Shoulder Raise

    Dumbbell Incline Shoulder Raise

    A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the shoulders, using dumbbells.

    beginner Dumbbells
  3. 3 Dumbbell Raise

    Dumbbell Raise

    A beginner compound strength exercise that works the shoulders, using dumbbells.

    beginner Dumbbells
  4. 4 Front Dumbbell Raise

    Front Dumbbell Raise

    A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the shoulders, using dumbbells.

    beginner Dumbbells
  5. 5 Front Incline Dumbbell Raise

    Front Incline Dumbbell Raise

    A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the shoulders, using dumbbells.

    beginner Dumbbells
  6. 6 Front Two-Dumbbell Raise

    Front Two-Dumbbell Raise

    A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the shoulders, using dumbbells.

    beginner Dumbbells
  7. 7 Cable Seated Lateral Raise

    Cable Seated Lateral Raise

    A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the shoulders, using a cable machine.

    beginner Cable Machine
  8. 8 Standing Low-Pulley Deltoid Raise

    Standing Low-Pulley Deltoid Raise

    A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the shoulders, using a cable machine.

    beginner Cable Machine
  9. 9 Barbell Incline Shoulder Raise

    Barbell Incline Shoulder Raise

    A beginner compound strength exercise that works the shoulders, using a barbell.

    beginner Barbell
  10. 10 Dumbbell Lying One-Arm Rear Lateral Raise

    Dumbbell Lying One-Arm Rear Lateral Raise

    An intermediate isolation strength exercise that works the shoulders, using dumbbells.

    intermediate Dumbbells

Frequently Asked Questions

What muscles do single dumbbell raise work?

Single Dumbbell Raise primarily works the shoulders. The forearms and traps assist as secondary muscles.

What equipment do I need for single dumbbell raise?

Single Dumbbell Raise uses dumbbells.

Single Dumbbell Raise: is it suitable for beginners?

Yes. Single 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 single dumbbell raise?

Bent Over Dumbbell Rear Delt Raise With Head On Bench, Dumbbell Incline Shoulder Raise, Dumbbell Raise train the same primary muscles and are listed with 7 more alternatives above.

Can Fitnit count my single dumbbell raise reps automatically?

Not automatically yet. Fitnit's AI rep counting covers push-ups, squats, dumbbell curls, crunches and pull-ups today; single 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 Single Dumbbell Raise with AI

Fitnit automatically tracks push-ups, crunches, squats, pull-ups, and curls with advanced body tracking technology — and you can manually input any other workout too. Start free — Pro is $8.99/month.