Dumbbell Shoulder Press vs Plate Front Raise

Which one fits your Shoulder workout plan?

Contents

Planfit users log Dumbbell Shoulder Press more often — 42,733 sessions vs 2,347. Compare Shoulder form, muscles worked, and when to use each.

Compare the benefits of Dumbbell Shoulder Press and Plate Front Raise and pick the one that fits your Shoulder workout.

Dumbbell Shoulder Press vs Plate Front Raise: Which Do Planfit Users Choose?

Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Dumbbell Shoulder Press more often — 42,733 sessions compared to 2,347 for Plate Front Raise.

What most people do isn't always what fits you. Dumbbell Shoulder Press and Plate Front Raise differ in the muscles they work, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.

How Dumbbell Shoulder Press and Plate Front Raise Differ

What differsDumbbell Shoulder PressPlate Front Raise
Muscles workedfront delts, side delts, and tricepsfront delts
Equipmenta dumbbellbodyweight only
Difficulty2 of 53 of 5
Sessions logged by Planfit users42,733 sessions2,347 sessions

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Not sure whether Dumbbell Shoulder Press or Plate Front Raise fits your goal? Get a personalized plan

How to Do Dumbbell Shoulder Press

Dumbbell Shoulder Press demo video

Dumbbell Shoulder Press Muscles Worked: Shoulder

Form

  1. 1. Please lift the dumbbells vertically.
  2. 2. Please lift them without bringing the dumbbells together, just as they are.
  3. 3. Slowly return to the starting position.

Coach's Tips

  1. 1. If you feel pain in your shoulder or hear a 'clicking' sound, position your elbows in front of your body instead of at your sides.
  2. 2. If the pain continues, lower the dumbbell weight by about 20% or try substituting with a different shoulder exercise.

For a full Dumbbell Shoulder Press guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Dumbbell Shoulder Press exercise guide.

Want to learn more about Dumbbell Shoulder Press?Exercise Guide

How to Do Plate Front Raise

Plate Front Raise demo video

Plate Front Raise Muscles Worked: Shoulder

Form

  1. 1. Slowly lift your arms to shoulder height while keeping your elbows slightly bent.
  2. 2. Slowly lower your arms to return to the starting position.
  3. 3. 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 above shoulder height.

For a full Plate Front Raise guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Plate Front Raise exercise guide.

Want to learn more about Plate Front Raise?Exercise Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for Shoulder, Dumbbell Shoulder Press or Plate Front Raise?

Planfit users log Dumbbell Shoulder Press more often — 42,733 sessions against 2,347 for Plate Front Raise. Both train Shoulder, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.

Do Dumbbell Shoulder Press and Plate Front Raise work the same muscles?

Not quite. Dumbbell Shoulder Press loads front delts, side delts, and triceps, and Plate Front Raise loads front delts.

What equipment do Dumbbell Shoulder Press and Plate Front Raise need?

Dumbbell Shoulder Press needs a dumbbell, and Plate Front Raise needs bodyweight only.

Which is easier to start with?

Dumbbell Shoulder Press is the easier place to start. Move to Plate Front Raise once your form holds up.

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