10 Best Lever Reverse Grip Vertical Row Alternatives for Limited Equipment

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

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

Original Exercise: Lever Reverse Grip Vertical Row

Lever Reverse Grip Vertical RowPlay demonstration
Primary muscle
Upper Back
Equipment
Lever
Difficulty
Intermediate
Type
Compound

Secondary muscles: Biceps, Forearms

How to perform Lever Reverse Grip Vertical Row
  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.
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Ranked Lever Reverse Grip Vertical Row Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Lever Reverse Grip Vertical Row 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
    Lever High RowPlay demonstration

    1. Lever High Row

    95% match
    • Upper Back
    • Lever
    • Intermediate
    • Compound

    The same equipment, taken with a neutral grip.

    How to perform this exercise
    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.

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

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: upper back, the same as the Lever Reverse Grip Vertical Row
    • Equipment: a machine, the same as the Lever Reverse Grip Vertical Row
    • Body position: seated, the same as the Lever Reverse Grip Vertical Row
  2. Lever Seated RowPlay demonstration

    2. Lever Seated Row

    95% match
    • Upper Back
    • Lever
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    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 Reverse Grip Vertical Row
    • Equipment: a machine, the same as the Lever Reverse Grip Vertical Row
    • Body position: seated, the same as the Lever Reverse Grip Vertical Row
  3. Lever Narrow Grip Seated RowPlay demonstration

    3. Lever Narrow Grip Seated Row

    94% match
    • Upper Back
    • Lever
    • Intermediate
    • Compound

    The same equipment, taken with a narrow grip.

    How to perform this exercise
    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 Reverse Grip Vertical Row
    • Equipment: a machine, the same as the Lever Reverse Grip Vertical Row
    • Body position: seated, the same as the Lever Reverse Grip Vertical Row
  4. Lever Unilateral RowPlay demonstration

    4. Lever Unilateral Row

    88% match
    • Upper Back
    • Lever
    • Intermediate
    • Compound

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

    How to perform this exercise
    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 Reverse Grip Vertical Row
    • Equipment: a machine, the same as the Lever Reverse Grip Vertical Row
    • Body position: seated, the same as the Lever Reverse Grip Vertical Row
  5. Cable Rope Elevated Seated RowPlay demonstration

    5. Cable Rope Elevated Seated Row

    86% match
    • Upper Back
    • Cable
    • Intermediate
    • Compound

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

    How to perform this exercise
    1. Sit on the elevated seat facing the cable machine.
    2. Grab the cable rope handles with an overhand grip, palms facing each other.
    3. Keep your back straight and lean slightly back, maintaining a slight bend in your knees.
    4. Pull the cable towards your body by retracting your shoulder blades and squeezing your back muscles.
    5. Pause for a moment at the fully contracted position.
    6. Slowly release the tension 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 Reverse Grip Vertical Row
    • Equipment: a cable, not a machine
    • Body position: seated, the same as the Lever Reverse Grip Vertical Row
  6. Resistance Band Seated Straight Back RowPlay demonstration

    6. Resistance Band Seated Straight Back Row

    86% match
    • Upper Back
    • Band
    • Beginner
    • Compound

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

    How to perform this exercise
    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 Reverse Grip Vertical Row
    • Equipment: a band, not a machine
    • Body position: seated, the same as the Lever Reverse Grip Vertical Row
  7. Cable Rope Crossover Seated RowPlay demonstration

    7. Cable Rope Crossover Seated Row

    85% match
    • Upper Back
    • Cable
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    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 Reverse Grip Vertical Row
    • Equipment: a cable, not a machine
    • Body position: seated, the same as the Lever Reverse Grip Vertical Row
  8. Cable Rope Seated RowPlay demonstration

    8. Cable Rope Seated Row

    85% match
    • Upper Back
    • Cable
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Sit on the rowing machine with your feet flat on the footrests and knees slightly bent.
    2. Grasp the cable ropes with an overhand grip, palms facing each other.
    3. Keep your back straight and lean slightly forward, maintaining a slight bend in your elbows.
    4. Pull the cable ropes towards your body, 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 Reverse Grip Vertical Row
    • Equipment: a cable, not a machine
    • Body position: seated, the same as the Lever Reverse Grip Vertical Row
  9. Cable Reverse-grip Straight Back Seated High RowPlay demonstration

    9. Cable Reverse-grip Straight Back Seated High Row

    85% match
    • Upper Back
    • Cable
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Sit on the seat facing the cable machine with your feet flat on the floor.
    2. Grasp the cable attachment with an underhand grip, palms facing up, and your hands shoulder-width apart.
    3. Keep your back straight and lean slightly forward from your hips.
    4. Pull the cable towards your torso by retracting your shoulder blades and squeezing your back muscles.
    5. Pause for a moment at the peak of the contraction, then slowly release the cable back 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 Reverse Grip Vertical Row
    • Equipment: a cable, not a machine
    • Body position: seated, the same as the Lever Reverse Grip Vertical Row
  10. Smith Reverse Grip Bent Over RowPlay demonstration

    10. Smith Reverse Grip Bent Over Row

    81% match
    • Upper Back
    • Smith-machine
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Set up the smith machine with the bar at hip height.
    2. Stand facing the bar with your feet shoulder-width apart.
    3. Bend your knees slightly and hinge forward at the hips, keeping your back straight.
    4. Grasp the bar with an underhand grip, hands shoulder-width apart.
    5. Pull the bar towards your lower chest, squeezing your shoulder blades together.
    6. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower the bar back down 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 Reverse Grip Vertical Row
    • Equipment: a machine, the same as the Lever Reverse Grip Vertical Row
    • Body position: standing, not seated

Lever Reverse Grip Vertical Row FAQ

What muscles does Lever Reverse Grip Vertical Row work?

The exercise targets the upper back, mainly the middle traps, rhomboids, and the lower fibers of the latissimus dorsi, while the supinated grip increases biceps contribution. Biomechanically it emphasizes humeral adduction with scapular retraction, so you feel the mid-traps engage during the pull.

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