Anterior Raise - Dumbbell Alternate Narrow Stance

Recommendations: 2-3 Sets, 8-12 Reps, 20-40 Wght

Beginner Anterior Delts Traps Strength Dumbbell Pull Gym

Purpose: This exercise strengthens the front deltoid muscle area.

Benefits: This exercise isolates the anterior delt muscle. The narrow stance will require the use of stabilizer muscles. Alternating the exercise from one side to the other will help you focus on the specific muscles.

Stand with your feet close together. Hold the dumbbells with an overhand grip in front of your body (palms facing towards your body). Your arms should be parallel. This is the starting position. Keeping your shoulders down (do not shrug them) and your elbows slightly bent, raise the right dumbbell straight up toward shoulder level. As the dumbbell reaches shoulder level, rotate it as if you are pouring water from a pitcher to increase the effectiveness of the exercise. Exhale during this movement. Lower the right dumbbell slowly to the starting position. Inhale during this movement. Keeping your shoulders down (do not shrug them) and your elbows slightly bent, raise the left dumbbell straight up toward shoulder level. As the dumbbell reaches shoulder level, rotate it as if you are pouring water from a pitcher to increase the effectiveness of the exercise. Exhale during this movement. Lower the left dumbbell slowly to the starting position. Inhale during this movement. Repeat for the required number of repetitions.


The anterior (front) deltoid or shoulder is one of the three distinct heads of the deltoid anatomy. It raises the arm toward the front and rotates the arm inward.

Step 1

While standing, grasp dumbbells, in front of your body, palms facing to your body, arms parallel.

anterior-raise-dumbbell-alternate-narrow-stance-step-0

Stand with your feet close together. Hold the dumbbells with an overhand grip in front of your body (palms facing towards your body). Your arms should be parallel. This is the starting position.

Step 2

Keep your shoulders down while raising the right dumbbell to shoulder level. Rotate the arm inward as if you are pouring water.

anterior-raise-dumbbell-alternate-narrow-stance-step-1

Keeping your shoulders down (do not shrug them) and your elbows slightly bent, raise the right dumbbell straight up toward shoulder level. As the dumbbell reaches shoulder level, rotate it as if you are pouring water from a pitcher to increase the effectiveness of the exercise. Exhale during this movement.

Step 3

Lower the right dumbbell slowly to the starting position.

anterior-raise-dumbbell-alternate-narrow-stance-step-2

Lower the right dumbbell slowly to the starting position. Inhale during this movement. Hold the dumbbells with an overhand grip in front of your body (palms facing towards your body). Your arms should be parallel.

Step 4

Keep your shoulders down while raising the left dumbbell to shoulder level. Rotate the arm inward as if you are pouring water.

anterior-raise-dumbbell-alternate-narrow-stance-step-3

Keeping your shoulders down (do not shrug them) and your elbows slightly bent, raise the left dumbbell straight up toward shoulder level. As the dumbbell reaches shoulder level, rotate it as if you are pouring water from a pitcher to increase the effectiveness of the exercise. Exhale during this movement.

Step 5

Lower the left dumbbell slowly to the starting position.

anterior-raise-dumbbell-alternate-narrow-stance-step-4

Lower the left dumbbell slowly to the starting position. Inhale during this movement. Hold the dumbbells with an overhand grip in front of your body (palms facing towards your body). Your arms should be parallel.