Shoulders · Barbell
Barbell Front Raise
How to do the barbell front raise, the muscles it works, and the mistakes to avoid. Pulled straight from the Kovo app's exercise library.
- Equipment
- Barbell
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Logged as
- Weighted reps
- Movement
- Extension
- Mechanic
- Isolation
How to do it
Hold a barbell with an overhand grip, arms extended in front of your thighs. Raise the bar to shoulder height, keeping your arms straight, then lower it back down with control.
- 1Feel your front delts lift the barbell up to shoulder height
- 2Keep your core braced and shoulders relaxed to isolate the delts
- 3Maintain a slight bend in your elbows and raise under control
Common mistakes
- Avoid swinging your torso or using momentum
- Don't raise past shoulder height or lock your elbows at the top
- Avoid shrugging your shoulders; keep them down
Muscles worked
The barbell front raise mainly works the front delts, with the side delts assisting.
- Front DeltsPrimary
- Side DeltsSupport
- ForearmsMinor
- Upper TrapsMinor
- Upper AbsMinor
Barbell Front Raise strength standards
See how your barbell front raise ranks, from Bronze to Champion. These are the same standards the Kovo app uses to rank your lifts.
Bronzee1RM17.5 lb
Silvere1RM50 lb
Golde1RM105 lb
Platinume1RM167.5 lb
Diamonde1RM207.5 lb
Champione1RM242.5 lb
Find your rank
Enter your best set. We estimate your 1RM and match it to a tier.
Kovo tracks this rank automatically as you train, across every lift, and levels you up as you get stronger.
Kovo programs the barbell front raise for you and tracks it every session.
We build your whole program, drop the right lifts into each workout, and adjust your weights as you get stronger. Free on iOS and Android.
More shoulders exercises
- How to do the battle rope alternating waves
- How to do the arm circles
- How to do the arnold press
- How to do the resistance band front raise
- How to do the resistance band lateral raise
- How to do the resistance band overhead press
Last reviewed April 2026.