10 Best Lever Seated Reverse Fly Alternatives for Shoulder Strength

The Lever Seated Reverse Fly is done seated with a lever machine. Ranked closest by our scoring: Reverse Machine Flyes, the Lever Seated Reverse Fly (Parallel Grip) and the Cable Seated Rear Lateral Raise.

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

How to Do the Lever Seated Reverse Fly

The steps for the Lever Seated Reverse Fly itself, so you can judge how close each substitute below really is.

Delts, with trapezius, rhomboids · Lever · Intermediate · Isolation

  1. Adjust the seat height and position yourself on the machine with your chest against the pad and your feet flat on the floor.
  2. Grasp the handles with an overhand grip and keep your arms slightly bent.
  3. Exhale and squeeze your shoulder blades together as you pull the handles back and outward, away from your body.
  4. Pause for a moment at the peak contraction, then inhale and slowly return to the starting position.
  5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

The 10 Best Lever Seated Reverse Fly Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Lever Seated Reverse Fly 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. Delts · Beginner · Isolation

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

    • Lever
    How to perform it
    1. Adjust the seat height and position yourself on the machine with your chest against the pad and your feet flat on the floor.
    2. Grasp the handles with a parallel grip, palms facing each other, and keep your arms slightly bent.
    3. Exhale and squeeze your shoulder blades together as you pull the handles back and outward, away from your body.
    4. Pause for a moment at the peak contraction, then inhale and slowly return to the starting position.
    5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Movement: rear-delt fly, the same as the Lever Seated Reverse Fly
    • Primary muscle: delts, the same as the Lever Seated Reverse Fly
    • Equipment: a machine, the same as the Lever Seated Reverse Fly
    • Body position: seated, the same as the Lever Seated Reverse Fly
  2. Delts · Intermediate · Isolation

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

    • Cable
    How to perform it
    1. Sit on a bench facing the cable machine with your feet flat on the ground.
    2. Grasp the cable handles with an overhand grip and extend your arms straight in front of you.
    3. Keeping your arms straight, slowly raise them out to the sides until they are parallel to the floor.
    4. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower your arms back to the starting position.
    5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: delts, the same as the Lever Seated Reverse Fly
    • Equipment: a cable, not a machine
    • Body position: seated, the same as the Lever Seated Reverse Fly
  3. Delts · Intermediate · Isolation

    A good swap when you have dumbbells to work with, and it still works the delts.

    • Dumbbell
    How to perform it
    1. Set up an incline bench at a 45-degree angle.
    2. Sit on the bench with your chest against the backrest and hold a dumbbell in each hand.
    3. Extend your arms straight down with your palms facing each other.
    4. Keeping a slight bend in your elbows, raise your arms out to the sides until they are parallel to the ground.
    5. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower your arms back down to the starting position.
    6. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: delts, the same as the Lever Seated Reverse Fly
    • Equipment: free weights, not a machine
    • Body position: seated, the same as the Lever Seated Reverse Fly
  4. Delts · Intermediate · Isolation

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

    • Dumbbell
    How to perform it
    1. Sit on a bench with your feet flat on the ground and your back straight.
    2. Hold a dumbbell in one hand with your palm facing inwards.
    3. Lean forward and place your free hand on the bench for support.
    4. Keep your arm slightly bent and raise it out to the side until it is parallel to the ground.
    5. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower your arm back down to the starting position.
    6. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions, then switch arms.

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

    Why this matches
    • Movement: rear-delt fly, the same as the Lever Seated Reverse Fly
    • Primary muscle: delts, the same as the Lever Seated Reverse Fly
    • Equipment: free weights, not a machine
    • Body position: seated, the same as the Lever Seated Reverse Fly

Lever Seated Reverse Fly FAQ

What muscles does Lever Seated Reverse Fly work?

The lever seated reverse fly primarily targets the posterior (rear) deltoid and secondarily the middle trapezius and rhomboids for scapular retraction. It also recruits external rotators like infraspinatus; cue scapular pinch and horizontal abduction to maximize posterior-delt loading.

What is the best bodyweight alternative to Lever Seated Reverse Fly?

A prone T (prone T raises) on the floor or an incline bench is the best bodyweight option; lie chest-down, thumbs up, and lift arms into a T while squeezing the shoulder blades. Keep the neck neutral, lead with the elbows, and control the descent to maintain rear-delt activation.

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