10 Best Keg Load Alternatives for Lower-Back Strength

The Keg Load is done standing. Ranked closest by our scoring: the Bodyweight Standing One Arm Row, the One Arm Towel Row and the Bodyweight Standing One Arm Row (With Towel).

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

Original Exercise: Keg Load

Keg Load
Primary muscle
Lower Back
Equipment
Other
Difficulty
Advanced
Type
Compound

Secondary muscles: Abdominals, Biceps, Calves, Forearms, Glutes, Hamstrings, Middle Back, Quadriceps, Shoulders, Traps

How to perform Keg Load
  1. To load kegs, place the desired number a distance from the loading platform, typically 30-50 feet.
  2. Begin by grabbing the close handle of the first keg, tilting it onto its side to grab the opposite edge of the bottom of the keg. Lift the keg up to your chest.
  3. The higher you can place the keg, the faster you should be able to move to the platform. Shouldering is usually not allowed. Be sure to keep a firm hold on the keg. Move as quickly as possible to the platform, and load it, extending through your hips, knees, and ankles to get it as high as possible.
  4. Return to the starting position to retrieve the next keg, and repeat until the event is completed.
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Ranked Keg Load Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Keg Load 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. Bodyweight Standing One Arm RowPlay demonstration

    1. Bodyweight Standing One Arm Row

    75% match
    • Lats
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound

    A looser match: it works the lats rather than the lower back.

    How to perform this exercise
    1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, and hold a dumbbell in one hand.
    2. Bend forward at the hips, keeping your back straight and your core engaged.
    3. Let the dumbbell hang straight down in front of you, with your arm fully extended.
    4. Pull the dumbbell up towards your chest, keeping your elbow close to your body.
    5. Squeeze your shoulder blades together at the top of the movement.
    6. Lower the dumbbell back down to the starting position.
    7. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions, then switch sides.

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

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: lats, not lower back
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Keg Load
  2. One Arm Towel RowPlay demonstration

    2. One Arm Towel Row

    74% match
    • Upper Back
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound

    A looser match: it works the upper back rather than the lower back.

    How to perform this exercise
    1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, and hold a towel with one hand.
    2. Bend forward at the waist, keeping your back straight and your core engaged.
    3. Extend your arm fully, allowing the towel to hang in front of you.
    4. Pull the towel towards your chest, squeezing your shoulder blades together.
    5. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower the towel back to the starting position.
    6. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions, then switch arms.

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

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: upper back, not lower back
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Keg Load
  3. Bodyweight Standing One Arm Row (With Towel)Play demonstration

    3. Bodyweight Standing One Arm Row (With Towel)

    74% match
    • Lats
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, and hold a towel with one hand.
    2. Bend forward at the hips, keeping your back straight and your core engaged.
    3. Pull the towel towards your chest, squeezing your shoulder blades together.
    4. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower the towel back to the starting position.
    5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions, then switch to the other arm.

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

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: lats, not lower back
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Keg Load
  4. Bodyweight Standing Close-grip One Arm RowPlay demonstration

    4. Bodyweight Standing Close-grip One Arm Row

    70% match
    • Lats
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, and hold a dumbbell in one hand with a neutral grip.
    2. Bend forward at the hips, keeping your back straight and your core engaged.
    3. Pull the dumbbell up towards your chest, keeping your elbow close to your body and squeezing your shoulder blades together.
    4. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower the dumbbell back down to the starting position.
    5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions, then switch sides.

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

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: lats, not lower back
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Keg Load
  5. Bodyweight Standing Row (With Towel)Play demonstration

    5. Bodyweight Standing Row (With Towel)

    67% match
    • Lats
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and hold a towel in front of you with both hands.
    2. Bend your knees slightly and hinge forward at the hips, keeping your back straight.
    3. Pull the towel towards your chest, squeezing your shoulder blades together.
    4. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly release the tension and return 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: lats, not lower back
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Keg Load
  6. Bodyweight Standing Close-grip RowPlay demonstration

    6. Bodyweight Standing Close-grip Row

    63% match
    • Lats
    • Bodyweight
    • Beginner
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and knees slightly bent.
    2. Bend forward at the waist, keeping your back straight and your core engaged.
    3. Extend your arms straight in front of you, gripping the bar or handles with a close grip.
    4. Pull the bar or handles towards your body, squeezing your shoulder blades together.
    5. Pause for a moment at the top of the movement, then slowly release and return 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: lats, not lower back
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Keg Load
  7. Bodyweight Standing RowPlay demonstration

    7. Bodyweight Standing Row

    63% match
    • Lats
    • Bodyweight
    • Beginner
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and knees slightly bent.
    2. Grasp a bar or handles with an overhand grip, palms facing down.
    3. Keep your back straight and core engaged.
    4. Pull the bar or handles towards your body, squeezing your shoulder blades together.
    5. Pause for a moment at the top of the movement.
    6. Slowly release and extend your arms back 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: lats, not lower back
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Keg Load
  8. ElevatorPlay demonstration

    8. Elevator

    61% match
    • Upper Back
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your knees slightly bent.
    2. Place your hands on your hips or cross them in front of your chest.
    3. Keeping your back straight, slowly bend forward at the waist, lowering your upper body towards the ground.
    4. Pause for a moment at the bottom, then slowly raise your upper body back up 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: upper back, not lower back
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Keg Load
    • Balance: easier to stay steady on than the Keg Load
  9. Suspended RowPlay demonstration

    9. Suspended Row

    55% match
    • Lats
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Set up a suspension trainer at an appropriate height.
    2. Stand facing the anchor point with your feet shoulder-width apart.
    3. Hold the handles with an overhand grip, palms facing each other.
    4. Lean back, keeping your body straight and your heels on the ground.
    5. Pull your chest towards the handles, squeezing your shoulder blades together.
    6. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower yourself back to the starting position.
    7. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

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

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: lats, not lower back
    • Equipment: a suspension trainer, not free weights
    • Body position: hanging, not standing
  10. Front Lever RepsPlay demonstration

    10. Front Lever Reps

    51% match
    • Upper Back
    • Bodyweight
    • Advanced
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Hang from a pull-up bar with an overhand grip, palms facing away from you.
    2. Engage your core and pull your shoulder blades down and back.
    3. Keeping your body straight, lift your legs up until they are parallel to the ground.
    4. Hold this position for as long as you can, aiming for 10-20 seconds.
    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: upper back, not lower back
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: hanging, not standing

Keg Load FAQ

What muscles does Keg Load work?

Keg Load primarily targets the lumbar erector spinae, glutes, and hamstrings through a loaded hip-hinge pattern, with lats and traps stabilizing the load. Maintain a neutral spine and drive the hips forward to maximize erector spinae and glute activation while minimizing unnecessary lumbar flexion.

Can I build muscle without doing Keg Load?

Yes. You can build lower-back and posterior-chain muscle with progressive deadlift variations, back extensions, and targeted hamstring work while maintaining progressive overload. Focus on eccentric control and incremental load or time-under-tension, and cue a neutral spine to ensure the erector spinae receives appropriate hypertrophic stimulus.

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