Shoulders
EZ Bar Front Raise
The EZ Bar Front Raise is a strength exercise with an EZ bar for your shoulders. Share of the load in the Zulta muscle model: front delts 58%, side delts 14% and upper chest 12%.
How to do it
- Hold an EZ bar overhand on the angled grips about shoulder width apart.
- Stand tall with feet hip-width and the bar against the thighs.
- Raise the bar straight forward with slightly bent elbows.
- Stop when the bar reaches shoulder height.
- Lower slowly back to the thighs.
Tips
- The angled grips keep the wrists in a more natural position than a straight bar.
- Squeeze the glutes and brace the stomach to keep the torso still.
- Keep the bar level from side to side.
Common mistakes
- Leaning back as the bar rises.
- Kicking the bar off the thighs with the hips.
- Letting the bar drop fast on the way down.
Muscles worked by the EZ Bar Front Raise
Share per muscle in the Zulta muscle model. The model spreads the load of one rep over 40 muscles, based on EMG and biomechanics research.
Raising the arm forward is shoulder flexion: front delt first, lateral delt and clavicular pec next, with serratus and upper traps rotating the shoulder blade.
EZ Bar Front Raise alternatives
Different equipment
- Barbell Front Raise
- Cable Front Raise
- Cable Front Raise (Bar)
- Cable Front Raise Rope
- Dumbbell Front Raise
- Plate Front Raise
Make it harder
Similar exercises
Frequently asked questions
What muscles does the EZ Bar Front Raise work?
Mainly the front delts. The side delts and upper chest assist.
Is the EZ Bar Front Raise good for beginners?
Yes. The EZ Bar Front Raise is rated beginner in the Zulta library: the technique is easy to learn with a light weight.
What is a good alternative to the EZ Bar Front Raise?
For example the Barbell Front Raise, Cable Front Raise and Cable Front Raise (Bar). They train mostly the same muscles, some with different equipment.
How do you make the EZ Bar Front Raise harder?
Add weight or reps, or move on to the Barbell Front Raise and Plate Front Raise.
Sources
- Coratella et al. 2020, IJERPH 17(17):6015 (frontal raise)
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