Exercise Comparison
Alternating Deltoid Raise vs Dumbbell Shoulder Press
Side-by-Side
Muscle Analysis
Shared
Only in Dumbbell 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.
Dumbbell Shoulder Press
While holding a dumbbell in each hand, sit on a military press bench or utility bench that has back support. Place the dumbbells upright on top of your thighs.
Now raise the dumbbells to shoulder height one at a time using your thighs to help propel them up into position.
Make sure to rotate your wrists so that the palms of your hands are facing forward. This is your starting position.
Now, exhale and push the dumbbells upward until they touch at the top.
Then, after a brief pause at the top contracted position, slowly lower the weights back down to the starting position while inhaling.
Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Verdict
Both exercises target the shoulders. Alternating Deltoid Raise is a beginner exercise using dumbbell, while Dumbbell Shoulder Press is intermediate and uses dumbbell. Choose Alternating Deltoid Raise if you're looking for a more accessible option, or Dumbbell Shoulder Press for a greater challenge. Dumbbell 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.