Exercise Comparison
Alternating Deltoid Raise vs Cable Shoulder Press
Side-by-Side
Muscle Analysis
Shared
Only in Cable Shoulder Press
Instructions
Alternating Deltoid Raise
In a standing position, hold a pair of dumbbells at your side.
Keeping your elbows slightly bent, raise the weights directly in front of you to shoulder height, avoiding any swinging or cheating.
Return the weights to your side.
On the next repetition, raise the weights laterally, raising them out to your side to about shoulder height.
Return the weights to the starting position and continue alternating to the front and side.
Cable Shoulder Press
Move the cables to the bottom of the towers and select an appropriate weight.
Stand directly in between the uprights. Grasp the cables and hold them at shoulder height, palms facing forward. This will be your starting position.
Keeping your head and chest up, extend through the elbow to press the handles directly over head.
After pausing at the top, return to the starting position and repeat.
Verdict
Both exercises target the shoulders. Alternating Deltoid Raise is a beginner exercise using dumbbell, while Cable Shoulder Press is beginner and uses cable. Choose Alternating Deltoid Raise if you have access to dumbbell, or Cable Shoulder Press if you prefer cable. Cable Shoulder Press is a compound movement working multiple joints, making it better for overall strength. Alternating Deltoid Raise isolates the target muscle for focused development.