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Dumbbell Incline Shoulder Raise

Shoulders Triceps Beginner Strength Dumbbell
Dumbbell Incline Shoulder Raise Dumbbell Incline Shoulder Raise
Equipment
Dumbbell
Level
Beginner
Force
Push
Mechanic
Isolation
Instructions
  1. Sit on an Incline Bench while holding a dumbbell on each hand on top of your thighs.
  2. Lift your legs up to kick the weights to your shoulders and lean back. Position the dumbbells above your shoulders with your arms extended. The arms should be perpendicular to the floor with your palms facing forward and knuckles pointing towards the ceiling. This will be your starting position.
  3. While keeping the arms straight and locked, lift the dumbbells by raising the shoulders from the bench as you breathe out.
  4. Bring back the dumbbells to the starting position as you breathe in.
  5. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Frequently asked questions
What muscles does the Dumbbell Incline Shoulder Raise work?

Dumbbell Incline Shoulder Raise primarily targets the Shoulders. It also engages the Triceps as secondary muscles. This makes it an effective strength exercise for building shoulders development.

What equipment do I need for the Dumbbell Incline Shoulder Raise?

You will need a dumbbell to perform the Dumbbell Incline Shoulder Raise. Make sure the equipment is set up properly and at the appropriate weight before starting.

Is the Dumbbell Incline Shoulder Raise suitable for beginners?

Yes. The Dumbbell Incline Shoulder Raise is a beginner-friendly exercise. Focus on proper form before adding weight or intensity. It's a great movement to include early in your training.

Is the Dumbbell Incline Shoulder Raise a compound or isolation exercise?

The Dumbbell Incline Shoulder Raise is an isolation exercise that focuses on a single joint and muscle group. Isolation exercises are useful for targeting specific muscles, correcting imbalances, and adding focused volume. They are typically performed after compound movements in a workout.

How many sets and reps should I do for the Dumbbell Incline Shoulder Raise?

For strength, aim for 3-5 sets of 5-8 reps with heavier weight. For muscle building (hypertrophy), try 3-4 sets of 8-12 reps at a moderate weight. For endurance, use lighter weight and perform 2-3 sets of 15-20 reps.

What are good alternatives to the Dumbbell Incline Shoulder Raise?

Good alternatives include the Alternating Cable Shoulder Press, Alternating Deltoid Raise, Alternating Kettlebell Press. These exercises target similar muscle groups (Shoulders) and can be substituted based on available equipment or training preference.

How to use Dumbbell Incline Shoulder Raise — How to, Muscles, Form

Best for: Building practical strength and adding focused work for Shoulders, Triceps. Use it when the movement fits your goal, equipment, and recovery.

Programming tip: Start with a load you can control for every rep. Add reps before adding weight, and keep the last rep clean enough that you could repeat the movement next week.

Common mistake: Chasing heavier weight before the setup, range of motion, and tempo are consistent. If the rep changes every set, the log stops telling the truth.

Track it: Log weight, reps, sets, and one short note about form or difficulty. Over time, those notes explain plateaus better than motivation quotes ever will.

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