10 Best Cable Deadlift Alternatives for Gym and Home

The Cable Deadlift is done standing with a cable machine. Ranked closest by our scoring: the Glute Bridge Two Legs On Bench, the Reverse Hyper On Flat Bench and the Rear Decline Bridge.

Updated Ranked by our 12-factor similarity model How it works

Original Exercise: Cable Deadlift

Cable DeadliftPlay demonstration
Primary muscle
Glutes
Equipment
Cable
Difficulty
Intermediate
Type
Compound

Secondary muscles: Hamstrings, Quadriceps, Lower Back

How to perform Cable Deadlift
  1. Stand facing the cable machine with your feet shoulder-width apart.
  2. Bend at the hips and knees, lowering your torso until your back is parallel to the ground.
  3. Grasp the cable handles with an overhand grip, keeping your arms straight and your shoulders back.
  4. Engage your glutes and hamstrings to lift the cable handles, extending your hips and standing up straight.
  5. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower the cable handles back down to the starting position.
  6. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
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Ranked Cable Deadlift Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Cable Deadlift 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
    Glute Bridge Two Legs On BenchPlay demonstration

    1. Glute Bridge Two Legs On Bench

    67% match
    • Glutes
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound

    Use this when you have nothing to train with, because it works the glutes with bodyweight alone.

    How to perform this exercise
    1. Sit on the edge of a bench with your back against it and your feet flat on the ground.
    2. Place your hands on the bench beside your hips for support.
    3. Engage your glutes and hamstrings, then lift your hips off the bench until your body forms a straight line from your knees to your shoulders.
    4. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower your hips back down to the starting position.
    5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

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

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: glutes, the same as the Cable Deadlift
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a cable
    • Body position: lying on your back, not standing
  2. Reverse Hyper On Flat BenchPlay demonstration

    2. Reverse Hyper On Flat Bench

    67% match
    • Glutes
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Lie face down on a flat bench with your hips at the edge and your legs hanging off the bench.
    2. Hold onto the bench for stability.
    3. Keeping your legs straight, raise them up towards the ceiling as high as you can.
    4. Squeeze your glutes at the top of the movement.
    5. Slowly lower your legs back down 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: glutes, the same as the Cable Deadlift
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a cable
    • Body position: lying face down, not standing
  3. Rear Decline BridgePlay demonstration

    3. Rear Decline Bridge

    67% match
    • Glutes
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Lie on your back with your feet flat on the ground and your knees bent.
    2. Place your arms by your sides with your palms facing down.
    3. Engage your glutes and hamstrings, and lift your hips off the ground until your body forms a straight line from your knees to your shoulders.
    4. Hold this position for a few seconds, then slowly lower your hips back down to the starting position.
    5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

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

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: glutes, the same as the Cable Deadlift
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a cable
    • Body position: lying on your back, not standing
  4. Reverse Plank With Leg LiftPlay demonstration

    4. Reverse Plank With Leg Lift

    66% match
    • Glutes
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Sit on the ground with your legs extended in front of you and your hands resting on the ground behind you, fingers pointing towards your feet.
    2. Press through your hands and lift your hips off the ground, coming into a reverse plank position.
    3. Engage your core and lift one leg off the ground, extending it straight up towards the ceiling.
    4. Hold for a moment, then lower your leg back down.
    5. Repeat with the other leg.
    6. Continue alternating legs for the desired number of repetitions.

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

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: glutes, the same as the Cable Deadlift
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a cable
    • Body position: inverted, not standing
  5. Bench Hip ExtensionPlay demonstration

    5. Bench Hip Extension

    65% match
    • Glutes
    • Bodyweight
    • Beginner
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Sit on a bench with your back against the bench and your feet flat on the ground.
    2. Place your hands on the bench for support.
    3. Engage your glutes and hamstrings, then lift your hips off the bench until your body forms a straight line from your knees to your shoulders.
    4. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower your hips back down to the starting position.
    5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps, and add reps before you add load.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: glutes, the same as the Cable Deadlift
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a cable
    • Body position: lying on your back, not standing
    • Balance: easier to stay steady on than the Cable Deadlift
  6. Butt Lift (Bridge)

    6. Butt Lift (Bridge)

    65% match
    • Glutes
    • Bodyweight
    • Beginner
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Lie flat on the floor on your back with the hands by your side and your knees bent. Your feet should be placed around shoulder width. This will be your starting position.
    2. Pushing mainly with your heels, lift your hips off the floor while keeping your back straight. Breathe out as you perform this part of the motion and hold at the top for a second.
    3. Slowly go back to the starting position as you breathe in.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps, and add reps before you add load.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: glutes, the same as the Cable Deadlift
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a cable
    • Body position: lying on your back, not standing
  7. Single Leg Glute Bridge

    7. Single Leg Glute Bridge

    64% match
    • Glutes
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Isolation

    Pick this when you want an easier single-leg version that still works the glutes.

    How to perform this exercise
    1. Lay on the floor with your feet flat and knees bent.
    2. Raise one leg off of the ground, pulling the knee to your chest. This will be your starting position.
    3. Execute the movement by driving through the heel, extending your hip upward and raising your glutes off of the ground.
    4. Extend as far as possible, pause and then return to the starting position.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps on each side.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: glutes, the same as the Cable Deadlift
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a cable
    • Body position: lying on your back, not standing
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Cable Deadlift
  8. Pelvic Tilt Into BridgePlay demonstration

    8. Pelvic Tilt Into Bridge

    61% match
    • Glutes
    • Bodyweight
    • Beginner
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the ground.
    2. Place your arms by your sides with your palms facing down.
    3. Engage your glutes and core muscles.
    4. Tilt your pelvis upward, lifting your hips off the ground.
    5. Hold the bridge position for a few seconds.
    6. Slowly lower your hips back down to the starting position.
    7. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps, and add reps before you add load.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: glutes, the same as the Cable Deadlift
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a cable
    • Body position: lying on your back, not standing
  9. Low Glute Bridge On FloorPlay demonstration

    9. Low Glute Bridge On Floor

    61% match
    • Glutes
    • Bodyweight
    • Beginner
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Lie flat on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the ground.
    2. Place your arms by your sides, palms facing down.
    3. Engage your glutes and core, then lift your hips off the ground until your body forms a straight line from your knees to your shoulders.
    4. Pause for a moment at the top, squeezing your glutes.
    5. Slowly lower your hips back down to the starting position.
    6. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps, and add reps before you add load.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: glutes, the same as the Cable Deadlift
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a cable
    • Body position: lying on your back, not standing
  10. Glute Bridge MarchPlay demonstration

    10. Glute Bridge March

    60% match
    • Glutes
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Lie flat on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the ground.
    2. Engage your glutes and lift your hips off the ground, forming a straight line from your knees to your shoulders.
    3. While keeping your hips lifted, lift one foot off the ground and bring your knee towards your chest.
    4. Lower your foot back to the ground and repeat the movement with the other leg.
    5. Continue alternating legs in a marching motion while maintaining the bridge position.
    6. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

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

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: glutes, the same as the Cable Deadlift
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a cable
    • Body position: lying on your back, not standing

Cable Deadlift FAQ

What muscles does Cable Deadlift work?

The cable deadlift targets the glutes and hamstrings as the prime movers via hip extension, with secondary loading of the erector spinae, adductors, and core for stabilization. The knee extensors contribute less, so the movement emphasizes posterior-chain eccentric control and concentric hip drive.

What is the best bodyweight alternative to Cable Deadlift?

A single-leg glute bridge or single-leg hip thrust is the best bodyweight substitute to prioritize glute strength and unilateral balance. Cue: drive through the heel, squeeze the glute at the top, and control the descent to maximize posterior-chain activation.

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