2005 Cadillac CTS Changing a dead battery

I am going to change out a dead battery on my 2005 CTS Cadillac. The battery on this model is located under the hood on the passenger side. In instructions I have found on the internet, the change is described to open the housing, disconnecct the cables and then lift out the battery. The question I have is whether the dead battery can be lifted out by hand (is there enough room to reach in) or is an assist tool of some sort needed?
I know that when I get the replacement battery, there will be a lifting strap on it to lower the new battery into the housing.
My sequence in changing out the battery is to take the old battery out and take it to a parts store for exchange and bring the new battery to the house where the car is at.