Overhead Press vs Dumbbell Front Raise

Maximizing Your Shoulder Workout Plan

Contents

Overhead Press also loads your side delts and triceps — Dumbbell Front Raise does not. Both train Shoulder, so pick by what you want to hit.

Customize Your Shoulder Workout: Explore the Benefits of Overhead Press and Dumbbell Front Raise for Better Comparison.

Planfit Users' Choice about Overhead Press vs Dumbbell Front Raise : Which is Better?

Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Overhead Press more often — 17,150 sessions compared to 16,124 for Dumbbell Front Raise.

Popularity is not the whole answer. Overhead Press and Dumbbell Front Raise differ in the muscles they load, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.

How Overhead Press and Dumbbell Front Raise Differ

What differsOverhead PressDumbbell Front Raise
Muscles workedfront delts, side delts, and tricepsfront delts
Equipmenta barbella dumbbell
Difficulty3 of 52 of 5
Sessions logged by Planfit users17,150 sessions16,124 sessions

Related comparisons

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How to Overhead Press

Overhead Press gif

Overhead Press muscles worked: Shoulder

Form

  1. 1. Lift the barbell above your head. Please lift it above your head, not in front of your body.
  2. 2. With your hips and core engaged, slowly lower the barbell to return to the starting position.

Coach's Comment

  1. 1. If you grip the barbell too wide, it can put strain on your shoulders, so please be careful.
  2. 2. If your hips and core lose tension, it can put strain on your lower back, so please be careful.
  3. 3. Your entire upper body must remain tight throughout the movement.

If you want to know a detailed guide to Overhead Press, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Overhead Press Guide page of our blog!

Do you want to know more about Overhead Press methods?Exercise Guide

How to Dumbbell Front Raise

Dumbbell Front Raise gif

Dumbbell Front Raise muscles worked: Shoulder

Form

  1. 1. With your elbows slightly bent, slowly lift the dumbbells to shoulder height.
  2. 2. Make sure your palms are facing down towards the floor.
  3. 3. Slowly lower the dumbbells back to the starting position.
  4. 4. However, do not lower the dumbbells completely; only lower them until your shoulders are relaxed.

Coach's Comment

  1. Please be careful not to lift the dumbbells higher than shoulder height.

If you want to know a detailed guide to Dumbbell Front Raise, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Dumbbell Front Raise Guide page of our blog!

Do you want to know more about Dumbbell Front Raise methods?Exercise Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Neither is clearly ahead — Planfit users log both at a similar rate. They both train Shoulder, so the choice comes down to the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.

Do Overhead Press and Dumbbell Front Raise work the same muscles?

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

What equipment do Overhead Press and Dumbbell Front Raise need?

Overhead Press needs a barbell, and Dumbbell Front Raise needs a dumbbell.

Which is easier to start with?

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

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