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Dumbbell Seated Alternate Front Raise

The dumbbell seated alternate front raise is a shoulder exercise that targets the deltoids, with secondary emphasis on the trapezius and biceps. It is performed seated, which helps stabilize the body and isolate the shoulder muscles.

Quick Facts

Body PartsShoulders
Target MusclesDelts
Secondary MusclesTrapezius and Biceps
EquipmentDumbbell
DifficultyBeginner
Exercise TypeStrength
BilateralNo

How to Do Dumbbell Seated Alternate Front Raise

Follow these step-by-step instructions to perform Dumbbell Seated Alternate Front Raise with proper form and technique.

  1. Sit on a bench with your back straight and feet flat on the ground.
  2. Hold a dumbbell in each hand with your palms facing your body and arms extended down by your sides.
  3. Keeping your arms straight, raise one dumbbell in front of you until it is parallel to the ground.
  4. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower the dumbbell back down to the starting position.
  5. Repeat with the other arm.
  6. Alternate between arms for the desired number of repetitions.

Muscles Worked

Understanding which muscles Dumbbell Seated Alternate Front Raise targets helps you integrate it effectively into your training program.

Target Muscles

These are the main muscles responsible for performing the movement and receive the greatest training stimulus.

Delts

Secondary Muscles

These muscles assist in the movement and receive secondary training benefits.

TrapeziusBiceps

Benefits of Dumbbell Seated Alternate Front Raise

Incorporating Dumbbell Seated Alternate Front Raise into your workout routine offers numerous advantages for strength, muscle development, and overall fitness.

  • Delts Development: Dumbbell Seated Alternate Front Raise directly targets and strengthens the Delts, promoting muscle growth and improved functional strength.
  • Secondary Muscle Engagement: This exercise also works the Trapezius and Biceps, providing additional training stimulus without extra exercises.
  • Balanced Development: Dumbbells require each side to work independently, helping correct muscle imbalances and improving overall symmetry.
  • Functional Strength: Strength exercises like Dumbbell Seated Alternate Front Raise build real-world strength that transfers to daily activities and athletic performance.
  • Beginner-Friendly: This exercise is accessible to those new to fitness, with a movement pattern that's relatively easy to learn with proper instruction.
  • Corrects Imbalances: As a unilateral exercise, it helps identify and correct strength imbalances between sides of the body.

Safety Tips and Precautions

Performing Dumbbell Seated Alternate Front Raise safely is essential for preventing injuries and ensuring long-term progress.

  • Warm Up Properly: Before performing Dumbbell Seated Alternate Front Raise, complete 5-10 minutes of light cardio followed by dynamic stretches targeting the Delts and surrounding muscles.
  • Prioritize Form Over Weight: Never sacrifice proper technique for heavier weights. Poor form significantly increases injury risk and reduces the exercise's effectiveness.
  • Control the Weights: Always maintain full control of the dumbbells. Avoid swinging or using momentum, and never drop dumbbells from height.
  • Shoulder Protection: Avoid flaring your elbows excessively, which can strain the shoulder joint. Keep your shoulders packed and stable.
  • Respect Your Range of Motion: Work within your current mobility limits. Gradually improve flexibility over time rather than forcing deeper positions.
  • Don't Hold Your Breath: Maintain consistent breathing throughout the exercise. Exhale during the exertion phase and inhale during the easier phase.
  • Know When to Stop: End your set when you can no longer maintain proper form. Training to absolute failure on every set increases injury risk.
  • Allow Adequate Recovery: The Delts typically need 48-72 hours to recover after intense training. Avoid training the same muscle group on consecutive days.

Tracking Your Progress

To make consistent gains with Dumbbell Seated Alternate Front Raise, track these metrics during your workouts:

Sets

Track the number of sets you complete. Most training programs recommend 3-5 sets per exercise.

Reps

Record your repetitions per set. Adjust rep ranges based on your goals: 1-5 for strength, 6-12 for hypertrophy, 12+ for endurance.

Weight

Log the weight used for progressive overload. Aim to gradually increase weight while maintaining proper form.

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