The benefits of plate front raises

Plate front raises are a simple yet effective exercise which targets the muscles in the front of your shoulders, aka the front deltoids. They can be done with a variety of equipment, including a barbell, dumbbells, or a weight plate. In this case, we will focus on using a weight plate. Plate front raises involve lifting the weight plate from a resting position in front of your body up to shoulder height, then back down again. They can be done standing or seated – we prefer standing, as your stance is a little more stable, allowing for better form. Plate front raises can be incorporated into your shoulder or upper body workout.

How to do plate front raises

• Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, holding a weight plate in both hands with a neutral grip (palms facing each other).
• Keep your elbows slightly bent and your core engaged as you lift the weight plate up to shoulder height, making sure to keep your shoulders down and back.
• Slowly lower the weight plate back down to the starting position.
• Repeat for the desired number of reps.

Why should we do plate front raises?

• Improved shoulder stability and strength: The front deltoid muscles play an important role in shoulder stability and overall upper body strength.
• Enhanced posture: Strong front deltoids help improve your posture by pulling your shoulders back and down, giving you a more confident and upright appearance.
• Increased muscle definition: Plate front raises can help build and shape the muscles in your shoulders, giving you a more defined and toned appearance and helping ’round off’ the front delts for that cannonball look.

How plate front raises work

During a plate front raise, your front deltoid muscles are the primary movers, but other muscles in the shoulder and upper back, such as the rotator cuff muscles and upper traps, also play a role in stabilizing the weight. As you raise the weight plate up to shoulder height, you are contracting the front deltoid muscles, which helps to lift the weight. As you lower the weight back down, the muscles then relax for the controlled descent of the weight.

As mentioned, plate front raises primarily target the front deltoid muscles, but they also engage other muscles in the shoulder and upper back, including the rotator cuff muscles and upper traps. By strengthening these muscles, you can improve your overall shoulder stability while building the delts, as well as enhancing your posture.

Make those delts pop!

Plate front raises are one of the best exercises for really making the deltoid muscles in your shoulders “pop.” The deltoids are a group of three muscles that form the round, triangular shape on the top of your shoulders. When the front delts are well-developed they give the appearance of round, full shoulders, which contributes to the coveted “v-taper” physique.

Tips for proper form

• Keep your elbows slightly bent throughout the exercise to reduce strain on your joints.
• Keep your core engaged to help stabilize your body as you lift the weight.
• Avoid swinging the weight up or using momentum to lift the weight. Instead, focus on using your shoulder muscles to lift the weight in a controlled manner.

Plate front raises are a simple yet effective exercise that can help improve shoulder stability and strength, enhance posture, and increase shoulder muscle definition. By targeting the front deltoid muscles and other muscles in the shoulder and upper back, plate front raises can be a valuable addition to your shoulder or upper body workout. Just make sure to keep proper form in mind and start with a weight that is appropriate for your fitness level.