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Seated Front Raise

Seated Front Raise demonstration

Watch the demo so setup and tempo are clear before you follow the step-by-step cues.

Performing the: A Step-by-Step Tutorial Seated Front Raise

Work through the cues in order so setup, bracing, and reps stay consistent before you add load.

  • Keeping your back straight and your core engaged, slowly raise the dumbbells in front of you, extending your arms straight out and keeping them parallel to the floor.
  • Pause for a moment when the dumbbells reach shoulder height, ensuring to keep your elbows slightly bent to avoid locking them.
  • Gradually lower the dumbbells back down to the starting position, maintaining control of the movement and not allowing gravity to do the work.
  • Repeat this process for your desired number of repetitions, making sure to keep your movements slow and controlled for the entire exercise.

Tips for Performing Seated Front Raise

Form reminders that keep range of motion and control in check once the basic pattern feels stable.

  • Controlled Movement: Avoid the temptation to use momentum to lift the weights. Instead, raise and lower the weights in a slow and controlled manner. This will ensure that your shoulders, rather than your body's momentum, are doing the work, and it will also reduce the risk of injury.
  • Appropriate Weight: Use a weight that is challenging but manageable for you. Using weights that are too heavy can lead to improper form and potential injury. If you can't maintain control or if your form suffers, reduce the weight.
  • Full Range of Motion: To get the most out of the Seated Front Raise, make sure to lift the weights all the way up to shoulder height and lower them back down fully. Partial lifts will not fully

Can beginners do the Seated Front Raise?

A short framing note on whether this pattern suits newer lifters before you load it heavily.

Yes, beginners can do the Seated Front Raise exercise. It's a relatively simple exercise that targets the shoulder muscles, specifically the anterior deltoids. However, as with any exercise, it's important for beginners to start with a light weight and focus on proper form to avoid injury. It's always a good idea to have a trainer or experienced gym-goer supervise or guide you when you're just starting out.

What are common variations of the Seated Front Raise?

Compare these progressions when the main pattern is solid or you need a different stimulus with similar equipment.

  • Barbell Seated Front Raise: Instead of dumbbells, this variation uses a barbell, which can engage different muscles and provide a different kind of resistance.
  • Single-Arm Seated Front Raise: This variation involves performing the exercise one arm at a time, which can help to isolate and focus on individual muscles.
  • Seated Front Raise with Resistance Bands: This variation uses resistance bands instead of weights, providing a different type of resistance and allowing for easy adjustment of difficulty.
  • Incline Bench Seated Front Raise: In this variation, the bench is set at an incline, which changes the angle of the exercise and targets different parts of the shoulder muscles.