Plate Front Raise vs Cable Lateral Raise

Which one fits your Shoulder workout plan?

Contents

Cable Lateral Raise is the easier place to start — difficulty 2 of 5 vs 3. Compare Shoulder form cues and when to progress.

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

Plate 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 2,347 for Plate Front Raise.

What most people do isn't always what fits you. Plate 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 Plate Front Raise and Cable Lateral Raise Differ

What differsPlate Front RaiseCable Lateral Raise
Muscles workedfront deltsside delts
Equipmentbodyweight onlya machine
One side at a timeNoYes
Difficulty3 of 52 of 5
Sessions logged by Planfit users2,347 sessions4,441 sessions

Related comparisons

Not sure whether Plate Front Raise or Cable Lateral Raise fits your goal? Get a personalized plan

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

How to Do Cable Lateral Raise

Cable Lateral Raise demo video

Cable Lateral Raise Muscles Worked: Shoulder

Form

  1. 1. Slowly lift your arms to shoulder height while keeping your elbows slightly bent.
  2. 2. Make sure the palms of your hands are facing the floor or towards the front of your body.
  3. 3. Slowly lower your arms back to the starting position.
  4. 4. However, do not lower your arms completely; only lower them until your shoulders are relaxed.

Coach's Tips

  1. 1. Please be careful not to raise your hands higher than shoulder level.
  2. 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.

Want to learn more about Cable Lateral Raise?Exercise Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for Shoulder, Plate Front Raise or Cable Lateral 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 Plate Front Raise and Cable Lateral Raise work the same muscles?

Not quite. Plate Front Raise loads front delts, and Cable Lateral Raise loads side delts.

What equipment do Plate Front Raise and Cable Lateral Raise need?

Plate Front Raise needs bodyweight only, and Cable Lateral Raise needs a machine.

Which is easier to start with?

Cable Lateral Raise is the easier place to start. Move to Plate Front Raise once your form holds up.

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