Barbell Front Raise vs Smith Machine Shrug
Maximizing Your Shoulder Workout Plan
Contents
Planfit users log Barbell Front Raise more often — 1,357 sessions vs 228. Compare Shoulder form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Customize Your Shoulder Workout: Explore the Benefits of Barbell Front Raise and Smith Machine Shrug for Better Comparison.
Planfit Users' Choice about Barbell Front Raise vs Smith Machine Shrug : Which is Better?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Barbell Front Raise more often — 1,357 sessions compared to 228 for Smith Machine Shrug.
Popularity is not the whole answer. Barbell Front Raise and Smith Machine Shrug differ in the muscles they load, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.
How Barbell Front Raise and Smith Machine Shrug Differ
| What differs | Barbell Front Raise | Smith Machine Shrug |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | front delts | traps |
| Equipment | a barbell | a machine |
| Difficulty | 4 of 5 | 5 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 1,357 sessions | 228 sessions |
How to 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 Comment
- Please be careful not to lift the barbell higher than shoulder height.
If you want to know a detailed guide to Barbell Front Raise, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Barbell Front Raise Guide page of our blog!
How to Smith Machine Shrug
Smith Machine Shrug muscles worked: Shoulder
Form
- 1. Please shrug your shoulders and lift the barbell.
- 2. Slowly return to the starting position.
Coach's Comment
- 1. When lowering the barbell, it should be done slowly rather than just dropping it.
- 2. Please ensure that the neck does not extend excessively forward.
If you want to know a detailed guide to Smith Machine Shrug, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Smith Machine Shrug Guide page of our blog!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Shoulder, Barbell Front Raise or Smith Machine Shrug?
Planfit users log Barbell Front Raise more often — 1,357 sessions against 228 for Smith Machine Shrug. 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 Smith Machine Shrug work the same muscles?
Not quite. Barbell Front Raise loads front delts, and Smith Machine Shrug loads traps.
What equipment do Barbell Front Raise and Smith Machine Shrug need?
Barbell Front Raise needs a barbell, and Smith Machine Shrug needs a machine.
Which is easier to start with?
Barbell Front Raise is the easier place to start. Move to Smith Machine Shrug once your form holds up.
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