Exercise guide · Intermediate · Compound

Cable Front Shoulder Raise: How to Do It & Muscles Worked

The cable front shoulder raise is an isolation exercise that targets the deltoid muscles of the shoulders, using a cable machine to provide constant tension throughout the movement. It also engages the trapezius and biceps as secondary muscles.

Primary muscles
Shoulders
Secondary muscles
Biceps , Traps
Equipment
Cable
Level · type
Intermediate · Compound
Demonstration of the cable front shoulder raise
Front view: muscles worked by the cable front shoulder raise. Primary: shoulders. Secondary: biceps and traps.
Back view: muscles worked by the cable front shoulder raise. Primary: shoulders. Secondary: biceps and traps.
Primary Secondary

How to do the cable front shoulder raise

  1. Step 1: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and grasp the cable handle with an overhand grip.
  2. Step 2: Keep your back straight and your core engaged.
  3. Step 3: Raise the cable handle in front of you, keeping your arms straight and your palms facing down.
  4. Step 4: Continue lifting until your arms are parallel to the floor.
  5. Step 5: Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower the cable handle back to the starting position.
  6. Step 6: Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

Sets, reps and programming

Suggested sets, reps and rest for the cable front shoulder raise by training goal
Goal Sets Reps Rest Effort
Strength 3–5 3–6 3–5 min 1–3 reps in reserve
Muscle growth 3–4 6–12 2–3 min 1–2 reps in reserve
Muscular endurance 2–3 12–20 1–2 min 1–3 reps in reserve

Ranges follow the ACSM position stand on progression in resistance training. Muscle grows across a wide range of loads when sets end close to failure (Schoenfeld et al., 2017), longer rests between heavy sets support strength and size (Schoenfeld et al., 2016), and stopping a rep or two short of failure works about as well as training to failure (Grgic et al., 2022). Estimate your working weights with the strength calculators.

Cable Front Shoulder Raise alternatives

More exercises that train the shoulders as their main target:

More shoulders exercises

See the best shoulder exercises, ranked →

Sources

  1. American College of Sports Medicine. Progression models in resistance training for healthy adults. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2009;41(3):687-708.
  2. Schoenfeld BJ, Grgic J, Ogborn D, Krieger JW. Strength and hypertrophy adaptations between low- vs. high-load resistance training. J Strength Cond Res. 2017;31(12):3508-3523.
  3. Schoenfeld BJ, Pope ZK, Benik FM, et al. Longer interset rest periods enhance muscle strength and hypertrophy in resistance-trained men. J Strength Cond Res. 2016;30(7):1805-1812.
  4. Grgic J, Schoenfeld BJ, Orazem J, Sabol F. Effects of resistance training performed to repetition failure or non-failure on muscular strength and hypertrophy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Sport Health Sci. 2022;11(2):202-211.

Step-by-step instructions and demonstration media are from the ExerciseDB exercise dataset.

This guide is general fitness information, not medical advice. Stop if an exercise causes pain and speak to a doctor or physiotherapist about injuries or health conditions before starting a new programme.