Exercise guide
Cable Lying Floor Front Raise
- Beginner
- Isolation
- Rep-based
- Shoulders
- Upper arms
This isolation exercise targets the anterior deltoids by using a cable machine while lying on the floor, which eliminates momentum and provides constant tension throughout the entire range of motion.
Reviewed by the Crucible team · Updated June 2026
Muscles worked
Setup
- Set a cable pulley to the lowest position and attach a straight bar or EZ-bar.
- Lie flat on your back on the floor, facing away from the machine, with the cable running between your legs.
- Grasp the bar with an overhand grip (palms down), shoulder-width apart.
- Position your legs straight or with a slight bend in the knees, ensuring your lower back is pressed firmly into the floor.
How to do it
- Exhale as you raise your arms in a slow, controlled arc until they are perpendicular to the floor or slightly past.
- Keep a slight, fixed bend in your elbows to protect the joints and focus the load on the deltoids.
- Inhale as you slowly lower the bar back toward your thighs, stopping just before the weight stack touches to maintain tension.
- Maintain a controlled 2-1-2-0 tempo (2 seconds up, 1 second pause at the top, 2 seconds down).
Form checklist
- Keep your lower back glued to the floor throughout the entire set.
- Avoid shrugging your shoulders toward your ears as you lift.
- Ensure the movement occurs only at the shoulder joint; do not use your torso to swing the weight.
- Keep your wrists straight and neutral.
Pro tips
- Focus on 'pushing' the bar away from your body toward the opposite wall to maximize anterior delt recruitment.
- Squeeze your deltoids hard at the top of the movement where the tension is highest.
Make it harder
- Use a D-handle to perform the movement unilaterally (one arm at a time) to increase the stability challenge.
- Slow down the eccentric (lowering) phase to 4 seconds to increase time under tension.
Frequently asked
- What muscles does the cable lying floor front raise work?
- The cable lying floor front raise primarily targets the deltoids, and also works the serratus anterior and trapezius as secondary muscles.
- What equipment do you need for the cable lying floor front raise?
- The cable lying floor front raise uses cable.
- Is the cable lying floor front raise good for beginners?
- Yes. The cable lying floor front raise is a beginner-friendly movement and a strong foundation to build on.