Skip to main content

Slight Squat Front Raise

Step by step instructions, muscle activation and variants for the Slight Squat Front Raise.

MediumQuadricepsFront shoulders

About this exercise

A compound functional movement that combines a partial squat with a simultaneous dumbbell front raise, targeting the shoulders and quads together. Holding the squat throughout the raise adds leg tension and improves stability under load.

How to Perform

  • Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, holding a dumbbell in each hand in front of your thighs
  • Lower into a slight squat, keeping your chest up, back straight, and knees tracking over your toes
  • Maintain the squat position and raise both dumbbells forward to shoulder height with nearly straight arms
  • Hold briefly at the top, then lower the dumbbells back to your thighs with control
  • Keep the squat depth consistent across all reps

Muscle Activation

Primary
QuadricepsFront shoulders
Secondary
GlutesCore

About the Slight Squat Front Raise

The Slight Squat Front Raise is a foundational movement that builds strength and muscle through controlled, progressive overload. Train it 1 to 2 times per week with 3 to 5 working sets per session, gradually adding weight or reps as form holds up.