TETSUCable Front Raise vs Weighted Front Raise
The Cable Front Raise and the Weighted Front Raise both train the delts as their primary muscle. The Cable Front Raise uses a cable while the Weighted Front Raise adds external weight to a bodyweight pattern. Here is how they compare and when to pick each.
Side-by-side comparison
| Cable Front Raise | Weighted Front Raise | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary muscle | delts | delts |
| Body part | shoulders | shoulders |
| Supporting muscles | triceps and forearms | biceps and forearms |
| Equipment | cable | added weight |
| Steps in our guide | 6 | 4 |
How each one starts
Cable Front Raise — first steps
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and grasp the cable handle with an overhand grip.
- Keep your back straight and your core engaged.
Weighted Front Raise — first steps
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, holding a dumbbell in each hand with your palms facing your thighs.
- Keeping your arms straight, exhale and lift the dumbbells in front of you until they are at shoulder level.
Full step-by-step guides are linked below.
Which should you choose?
The Cable Front Raise keeps constant tension on the muscle through the whole range of motion. The Weighted Front Raise adds external load to a bodyweight pattern for direct overload. If your gym has both options, neither is a wrong choice: pick the one that feels strongest through a full range, and swap after 6 to 8 weeks to keep the delts adapting.
Full form guides
Common questions
Is the Cable Front Raise better than the Weighted Front Raise?
Neither is universally better — both train the delts as the primary mover. The Cable Front Raise keeps constant tension on the muscle through the whole range of motion, while the Weighted Front Raise adds external load to a bodyweight pattern for direct overload. Choose based on your equipment and which movement you can progress consistently.
Can I do both the Cable Front Raise and the Weighted Front Raise in the same program?
Yes, but usually not in the same session — they overlap heavily on the delts. A common setup is one as your main movement and the other on a second training day, or alternating them block by block.
Do the Cable Front Raise and the Weighted Front Raise work the same muscles?
The primary muscle is the same: the delts. Supporting muscles differ slightly — triceps and forearms for the Cable Front Raise versus biceps and forearms for the Weighted Front Raise.
Track it in Tetsu
Tetsu tracks both movements separately, keeps your PRs per exercise, and tells you which one is actually progressing. Free to start.