How to Do Standing Dumbbell Straight-Arm Front Delt Raise Above Head

Standing Dumbbell Straight-Arm Front Delt Raise Above Head — start position demonstration photo
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Standing Dumbbell Straight-Arm Front Delt Raise Above Head — end position demonstration photo
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Start and end of one clean rep of Standing Dumbbell Straight-Arm Front Delt Raise Above Head.

Quick facts

Primary muscleShoulders
Secondary muscles—
EquipmentDumbbell
CategoryStrength

How to perform Standing Dumbbell Straight-Arm Front Delt Raise Above Head

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

Muscles worked

  • Shoulders (primary): raises and rotates the arms and drives everything overhead.

Sets & reps by goal

GoalSets × repsLoadRest
Strength3–5 × 3–5Heavy (~85%+)2–3 min
Hypertrophy3–4 × 8–12Moderate (~65–75%)60–90 s
Endurance2–3 × 15–20Lighter (~50–60%)30–45 s

Pick the row that matches your goal. If you're newer, anchor in the hypertrophy range while you groove the form.

Form tips

  • Keep the ribs down and the glutes tight so the lower back doesn't arch to 'help' the weight up.
  • Each side works on its own, so match the depth and speed of both arms and don't let the stronger side take over.
  • Treat every rep the same — a repeatable setup and bar path is what lets you add weight safely over time.
  • Stop a rep or two short of failure on most sets to keep form clean and recover faster.

Common mistakes

  • Pressing with the lower back arched instead of a braced, stacked torso.
  • Letting the dumbbells drift apart or clang together at the top instead of controlling the path.
  • Chasing weight jumps before the current load feels solid on every rep.

Frequently asked questions

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

Standing Dumbbell Straight-Arm Front Delt Raise Above Head is a focused movement that primarily works the shoulders.

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

Standing Dumbbell Straight-Arm Front Delt Raise Above Head needs a pair of dumbbells.

How many sets and reps should I do for Standing Dumbbell Straight-Arm Front Delt Raise Above Head?

It depends on your goal: about 3–5 sets of 3–5 heavy reps for strength, 3–4 sets of 8–12 for muscle growth, or 2–3 sets of 15–20 for endurance. Pick the row that matches your goal. If you're newer, anchor in the hypertrophy range while you groove the form.

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