All Exercises
Woman performing a front raise with an AguaForce water weight

Front Raise

Targets the front shoulders through a controlled forward raise, building shoulder strength and core stability.

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Main Muscles

  • Abs
  • Shoulders

Supporting Muscles

  • Upper Back
  • Lower Traps

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How to perform

  • Stand tall holding an AguaForce weight with both hands in front of your thighs
  • With arms straight or a slight bend in the elbows, raise the weight forward until it reaches shoulder height
  • Pause briefly at the top
  • Lower back down with control and repeat

Tips

  • Brace your core to avoid arching your lower back
  • Avoid using momentum to swing the weight up

Front Raise FAQ

What muscles does the front raise work?

The front raise mainly works your abs and shoulders, with your upper back and lower traps supporting the movement.

How much water should I put in the weight for the front raise?

Fill one AguaForce weight to about 3–6 lb, using the molded fill lines. Start at the low end if you're new to strength training, and pick a level where the last few reps feel hard but your form stays clean. When that gets easy, add about half a cup of water, roughly a quarter pound.

How many sets and reps of the front raise should I do?

Aim for 3 sets of 10–12 reps, resting 45–60 seconds between sets. The CDC recommends muscle-strengthening activity at least 2 days a week, so 2–3 non-consecutive days is a good target.