10 Best Lever High Row Alternatives for Limited Equipment

The Lever High Row is done seated with a lever machine. Ranked closest by our scoring: the Lever Seated Row, the Lever Reverse Grip Vertical Row and the Lever Narrow Grip Seated Row.

Lever High RowWatch the Lever High Row

Each substitute is scored on movement pattern, muscles worked, equipment and body position. Read how we rank alternatives

How to Do the Lever High Row

The steps for the Lever High Row itself, so you can judge how close each substitute below really is.

Upper Back, with biceps, rear deltoids · Lever · Intermediate · Compound

  1. Adjust the seat height and foot platform to a comfortable position.
  2. Sit on the machine with your chest against the pad and your feet flat on the foot platform.
  3. Grasp the handles with an overhand grip, slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
  4. Keep your back straight and engage your core.
  5. Pull the handles towards your body, squeezing your shoulder blades together.
  6. Pause for a moment at the peak of the movement, then slowly release the handles back to the starting position.
  7. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

The 10 Best Lever High Row Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Lever High Row on movement pattern, muscles worked, equipment and body position. The higher the score, the less you change. Cards with a "How to perform it" link open to show the steps; every card title links to that exercise's own alternatives page.

Each link re-ranks the list below for the kit it names. Pick one to hide the substitutes you cannot set up.

  1. Lever Seated RowPlay demonstration

    1. Lever Seated Row

    99% match

    Upper Back · Intermediate · Compound

    It uses the same equipment and still works the upper back.

    • Lever
    How to perform it
    1. Adjust the seat height and footrests to a comfortable position.
    2. Sit on the machine with your chest against the pad and your feet on the footrests.
    3. Grasp the handles with an overhand grip, shoulder-width apart.
    4. Keep your back straight and your core engaged.
    5. Pull the handles towards your body, squeezing your shoulder blades together.
    6. Pause for a moment at the peak of the movement.
    7. Slowly release the handles and return to the starting position.
    8. 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, the same as the Lever High Row
    • Equipment: a machine, the same as the Lever High Row
    • Body position: seated, the same as the Lever High Row
  2. Lever Reverse Grip Vertical RowPlay demonstration

    2. Lever Reverse Grip Vertical Row

    95% match

    Upper Back · Intermediate · Compound

    The same equipment, taken with an underhand grip.

    • Lever
    How to perform it
    1. Adjust the seat height and footplate position to ensure proper alignment.
    2. Sit on the machine with your chest against the pad and your feet flat on the footplate.
    3. Grasp the handles with an underhand grip, palms facing up.
    4. Keep your back straight and engage your core.
    5. Pull the handles towards your chest, squeezing your shoulder blades together.
    6. Pause for a moment at the top of the movement, then slowly release and extend your arms 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: upper back, the same as the Lever High Row
    • Equipment: a machine, the same as the Lever High Row
    • Body position: seated, the same as the Lever High Row
  3. Lever Narrow Grip Seated RowPlay demonstration

    3. Lever Narrow Grip Seated Row

    95% match

    Upper Back · Intermediate · Compound

    The same equipment, taken with a narrow grip.

    • Lever
    How to perform it
    1. Adjust the seat height and footrests to ensure proper form.
    2. Sit on the machine with your feet flat on the footrests and your knees slightly bent.
    3. Grasp the handles with a narrow grip, palms facing each other.
    4. Keep your back straight and lean slightly forward.
    5. Pull the handles towards your torso, squeezing your shoulder blades together.
    6. Pause for a moment at the peak of the movement.
    7. Slowly release the handles and return to the starting position.
    8. 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, the same as the Lever High Row
    • Equipment: a machine, the same as the Lever High Row
    • Body position: seated, the same as the Lever High Row
  4. Lever Unilateral RowPlay demonstration

    4. Lever Unilateral Row

    93% match

    Upper Back · Intermediate · Compound

    Pick this when you want to work the upper back one side at a time.

    • Lever
    How to perform it
    1. Adjust the seat height and position yourself facing the machine.
    2. Grasp the handles with an overhand grip and keep your back straight.
    3. Pull the handles towards your body, squeezing your shoulder blades together.
    4. Pause for a moment at the peak of the movement, then slowly release and extend your arms back to the starting position.
    5. 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: upper back, the same as the Lever High Row
    • Equipment: a machine, the same as the Lever High Row
    • Body position: seated, the same as the Lever High Row
  5. Resistance Band Seated Straight Back RowPlay demonstration

    5. Resistance Band Seated Straight Back Row

    89% match

    Upper Back · Beginner · Compound

    A good swap when you have a band to work with, and it still works the upper back.

    • Band
    How to perform it
    1. Sit on the floor with your legs extended and loop the resistance band around your feet.
    2. Hold the ends of the resistance band with your hands, palms facing each other.
    3. Keep your back straight and lean slightly back, engaging your core.
    4. Pull the resistance band towards your chest, squeezing your shoulder blades together.
    5. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly release the tension and 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: upper back, the same as the Lever High Row
    • Equipment: a band, not a machine
    • Body position: seated, the same as the Lever High Row
  6. Cable Rope Crossover Seated RowPlay demonstration

    6. Cable Rope Crossover Seated Row

    86% match

    Upper Back · Intermediate · Compound

    A good swap when you have a cable machine to work with, and it still works the upper back.

    • Cable
    How to perform it
    1. Sit on the rowing machine with your feet flat on the footrests and your knees slightly bent.
    2. Grasp the cable ropes with an overhand grip, palms facing each other.
    3. Lean back slightly, keeping your back straight and your core engaged.
    4. Pull the cable ropes towards your chest, squeezing your shoulder blades together.
    5. Pause for a moment at the peak of the movement, then slowly release the tension and 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: upper back, the same as the Lever High Row
    • Equipment: a cable, not a machine
    • Body position: seated, the same as the Lever High Row

Why You Might Need a Lever High Row Alternative

You may substitute the Lever High Row for several reasons: the machine isn’t available, you have shoulder pain with overhead or elevated-row positions, or you want different loading patterns and unilateral work. Biomechanically, the lever high row emphasizes a high horizontal pull and scapular adduction, increasing mid-trap and posterior delt activation. If you feel excessive shrugging or anterior shoulder discomfort, pick alternatives that lower the pull angle or support the torso. Technique cue: keep a neutral spine, depress the scapula before initiating the pull, and avoid letting the shoulders elevate during the concentric.

Lever High Row FAQ

What muscles does Lever High Row work?

The Lever High Row primarily targets the mid-back: rhomboids and middle trapezius, with strong posterior deltoid and upper-lat involvement. It uses a high, horizontal pull and scapular retraction pattern, so you also load the biceps and upper traps to stabilize.

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