Exercise Comparison
Alternating Deltoid Raise vs Cuban Press
Side-by-Side
Muscle Analysis
Shared
Only in Cuban 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.
Cuban Press
Take a dumbbell in each hand with a pronated grip in a standing position. Raise your upper arms so that they are parallel to the floor, allowing your lower arms to hang in the "scarecrow" position. This will be your starting position.
To initiate the movement, externally rotate the shoulders to move the upper arm 180 degrees. Keep the upper arms in place, rotating the upper arms until the wrists are directly above the elbows, the forearms perpendicular to the floor.
Now press the dumbbells by extending at the elbows, straightening your arms overhead.
Return to the starting position as you breathe in by reversing the steps.
Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Verdict
Both exercises target the shoulders. Alternating Deltoid Raise is a beginner exercise using dumbbell, while Cuban Press is intermediate and uses dumbbell. Choose Alternating Deltoid Raise if you're looking for a more accessible option, or Cuban Press for a greater challenge. Cuban Press is a compound movement working multiple joints, making it better for overall strength. Alternating Deltoid Raise isolates the target muscle for focused development.