Barbell Front Raise vs Cable Lateral Raise
Which one fits your Shoulder workout plan?
Contents
Planfit users log Cable Lateral Raise more often — 4,441 sessions vs 1,357. Compare Shoulder form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Compare the benefits of Barbell Front Raise and Cable Lateral Raise and pick the one that fits your Shoulder workout.
Barbell Front Raise vs Cable Lateral Raise: Which Do Planfit Users Choose?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Cable Lateral Raise more often — 4,441 sessions compared to 1,357 for Barbell Front Raise.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Barbell Front Raise and Cable Lateral Raise differ in the muscles they work, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.
How Barbell Front Raise and Cable Lateral Raise Differ
| What differs | Barbell Front Raise | Cable Lateral Raise |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | front delts | side delts |
| Equipment | a barbell | a machine |
| One side at a time | No | Yes |
| Difficulty | 4 of 5 | 2 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 1,357 sessions | 4,441 sessions |
How to Do Barbell Front Raise
Barbell Front Raise Muscles Worked: Shoulder
Form
- 1. Please slowly lift the barbell to shoulder height while keeping your elbows slightly bent.
- 2. Make sure the palms are facing down towards the floor.
- 3. Slowly lower the barbell back to the starting position.
- 4. However, do not lower the barbell completely; only lower it until your shoulders are relaxed.
Coach's Tips
- Please be careful not to lift the barbell higher than shoulder height.
For a full Barbell Front Raise guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Barbell Front Raise exercise guide.
How to Do Cable Lateral Raise
Cable Lateral Raise Muscles Worked: Shoulder
Form
- 1. Slowly lift your arms to shoulder height while keeping your elbows slightly bent.
- 2. Make sure the palms of your hands are facing the floor or towards the front of your body.
- 3. Slowly lower your arms back to the starting position.
- 4. However, do not lower your arms completely; only lower them until your shoulders are relaxed.
Coach's Tips
- 1. Please be careful not to raise your hands higher than shoulder level.
- 2. If your palms are facing behind your body, it may cause shoulder pain, so please keep them facing the floor or in front of your body.
For a full Cable Lateral Raise guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Cable Lateral Raise exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Shoulder, Barbell Front Raise or Cable Lateral Raise?
Planfit users log Cable Lateral Raise more often — 4,441 sessions against 1,357 for Barbell Front Raise. Both train Shoulder, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
Do Barbell Front Raise and Cable Lateral Raise work the same muscles?
Not quite. Barbell Front Raise loads front delts, and Cable Lateral Raise loads side delts.
What equipment do Barbell Front Raise and Cable Lateral Raise need?
Barbell Front Raise needs a barbell, and Cable Lateral Raise needs a machine.
Which is easier to start with?
Cable Lateral Raise is the easier place to start. Move to Barbell Front Raise once your form holds up.
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