10 Best Bear Crawl Sled Drags Alternatives for Limited Equipment

Ranked Bear Crawl Sled Drags Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches Bear Crawl Sled Drags on movement pattern, muscles worked, equipment and body position. The higher the score, the less you change. Open "How to perform this exercise" on a card for the steps; every card title links to that exercise's own alternatives page.

1. Best match

   

   1. Sled Drag - Harness

   85% match

   • Quads
   • Sled
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   Pick this when you want an easier version that still works the quads.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. To begin, load the sled with the desired weight and attach the pulling strap. You can pull with handles, use a harness, or attach the pulling strap to a weight belt.
   2. Whether pulling forwards or backwards, lean in the direction of travel and progress by extending through the hips and knees.

   Sets and reps: Carry for 20 to 30 metres and repeat for 3 or 4 rounds.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: quads, the same as Bear Crawl Sled Drags
   • Body position: standing, not kneeling
   • Balance: easier to stay steady on than Bear Crawl Sled Drags
2. 

   2. Farmer's Walk

   65% match

   • Forearms
   • Other
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   A looser match: it works the forearms rather than the quads.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. There are various implements that can be used for the farmers walk. These can also be performed with heavy dumbbells or short bars if these implements aren't available. Begin by standing between the implements.
   2. After gripping the handles, lift them up by driving through your heels, keeping your back straight and your head up.
   3. Walk taking short, quick steps, and don't forget to breathe. Move for a given distance, typically 50-100 feet, as fast as possible.

   Sets and reps: Hold for 20 to 30 seconds, 3 sets.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: forearms, not quads
   • Body position: standing, not kneeling
   • Balance: easier to stay steady on than Bear Crawl Sled Drags
3. 

   3. Sled Overhead Backward Walk

   61% match

   • Delts
   • Sled
   • Advanced
   • Compound

   A looser match: it works the delts rather than the quads.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Attach dual handles to a sled connected by a rope or chain. Load the sled to a light weight.
   2. Face the sled, backing up until there is some tension in the line. Hold your hands directly above your head with your elbows extended. This will be your starting position.
   3. Walk backwards, keeping your arms raised above your head. Avoid jerky movements.

   Sets and reps: Carry for 20 to 30 metres and repeat for 3 or 4 rounds.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: delts, not quads
   • Body position: standing, not kneeling
4. Play demonstration

   4. Barbell Squat (On Knees)

   59% match

   • Quads
   • Barbell
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   It still works the quads, through a different movement.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Start by kneeling on the ground with your knees hip-width apart and your toes pointing forward.
   2. Place a barbell across your shoulders, gripping it with an overhand grip and your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
   3. Engage your core and keep your chest lifted as you slowly lower your body down by bending your knees, keeping your back straight.
   4. Continue lowering until your thighs are parallel to the ground, or as low as you can comfortably go.
   5. Pause for a moment at the bottom, then push through your heels to return to the starting position.
   6. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: quads, the same as Bear Crawl Sled Drags
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as Bear Crawl Sled Drags
   • Body position: kneeling, the same as Bear Crawl Sled Drags
   • Balance: easier to stay steady on than Bear Crawl Sled Drags
5. Play demonstration

   5. Weighted Standing Hand Squeeze

   58% match

   • Forearms
   • Weighted
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and hold a weight in each hand.
   2. Extend your arms straight in front of you, palms facing each other.
   3. Squeeze your hands together as hard as you can, engaging your forearms.
   4. Hold the squeeze for a few seconds, then release.
   5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: Carry for 20 to 30 metres and repeat for 3 or 4 rounds.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: forearms, not quads
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as Bear Crawl Sled Drags
   • Body position: standing, not kneeling
   • Balance: easier to stay steady on than Bear Crawl Sled Drags
6. Play demonstration

   6. Dumbbell Burpee

   56% match

   • Quads
   • Dumbbell
   • Advanced
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Start in a standing position with your feet shoulder-width apart and a dumbbell in each hand.
   2. Lower your body into a squat position, placing the dumbbells on the ground in front of you.
   3. Kick your feet back into a push-up position, keeping your body in a straight line.
   4. Perform a push-up, bending your elbows and lowering your chest towards the ground.
   5. Jump your feet back towards your hands, landing in a squat position.
   6. Stand up explosively, lifting the dumbbells off the ground and bringing them to your shoulders.
   7. Press the dumbbells overhead, fully extending your arms.
   8. Lower the dumbbells back to your shoulders and repeat the entire sequence for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: Work for 30 to 60 seconds, rest as long as you worked, and repeat 6 to 10 times.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: quads, the same as Bear Crawl Sled Drags
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as Bear Crawl Sled Drags
   • Body position: standing, not kneeling
7. 

   7. Sled Push

   55% match

   • Quads
   • Sled
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Load your pushing sled with the desired weight.
   2. Take an athletic posture, leaning into the sled with your arms fully extended, grasping the handles. Push the sled as fast as possible, focusing on extending your hips and knees to strengthen your posterior chain.

   Sets and reps: 3 to 5 sets of 5 to 8 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: quads, the same as Bear Crawl Sled Drags
   • Body position: standing, not kneeling
   • Balance: easier to stay steady on than Bear Crawl Sled Drags
8. 

   8. Plate Pinch

   55% match

   • Forearms
   • Other
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Grab two wide-rimmed plates and put them together with the smooth sides facing outward
   2. Use your fingers to grip the outside part of the plate and your thumb for the other side thus holding both plates together. This is the starting position.
   3. Squeeze the plate with your fingers and thumb. Hold this position for as long as you can.
   4. Repeat for the recommended amount of sets prescribed in your program.
   5. Switch arms and repeat the movements.

   Sets and reps: Hold for 20 to 30 seconds, 3 sets.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: forearms, not quads
   • Body position: standing, not kneeling
   • Balance: easier to stay steady on than Bear Crawl Sled Drags
9. 

   9. Front Squats With Two Kettlebells

   55% match

   • Quads
   • Kettlebell
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Clean two kettlebells to your shoulders. Clean the kettlebells to your shoulders by extending through the legs and hips as you pull the kettlebells towards your shoulders. Rotate your wrists as you do so.
   2. Looking straight ahead at all times, squat as low as you can and pause at the bottom. As you squat down, push your knees out. You should squat between your legs, keeping an upright torso, with your head and chest up.
   3. Rise back up by driving through your heels and repeat.

   Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: quads, the same as Bear Crawl Sled Drags
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as Bear Crawl Sled Drags
   • Body position: standing, not kneeling
   • Balance: easier to stay steady on than Bear Crawl Sled Drags
10. 

    10. Plie Dumbbell Squat

    54% match

    • Quads
    • Dumbbell
    • Intermediate
    • Compound

    How to perform this exercise

    1. Hold a dumbbell at the base with both hands and stand straight up. Move your legs so that they are wider than shoulder width apart from each other with your knees slightly bent.
    2. Your toes should be facing out. Note: Your arms should be stationary while performing the exercise. This is the starting position.
    3. Slowly bend the knees and lower your legs until your thighs are parallel to the floor. Make sure to inhale as this is the eccentric part of the exercise.
    4. Press mainly with the heel of the foot to bring the body back to the starting position while exhaling.
    5. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

    Why this matches

    • Primary muscle: quads, the same as Bear Crawl Sled Drags
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as Bear Crawl Sled Drags
    • Body position: standing, not kneeling
    • Balance: easier to stay steady on than Bear Crawl Sled Drags