10 Best London Bridge Alternatives for Upper-Back Strength

The London Bridge is done standing with a rope. Ranked closest by our scoring: the Cable Upper Row, the Lever Reverse T-Bar Row and the Lever T Bar Row.

London BridgeWatch the London Bridge

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

How to Do the London Bridge

The steps for the London Bridge itself, so you can judge how close each substitute below really is.

Upper Back, with shoulders, biceps, forearms · Rope · Intermediate · Compound

  1. Attach the rope to a high anchor point.
  2. Stand facing away from the anchor point with your feet shoulder-width apart.
  3. Grasp the rope with an overhand grip, palms facing down.
  4. Lean forward slightly, keeping your back straight and core engaged.
  5. Pull the rope towards your body, squeezing your shoulder blades together.
  6. Pause for a moment at the peak of the movement, then slowly release the tension and return to the starting position.
  7. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

The 10 Best London Bridge Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the London Bridge 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. Cable Upper RowPlay demonstration

    1. Cable Upper Row

    89% 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. Attach a straight bar to a cable machine at chest height.
    2. Stand facing the machine with your feet shoulder-width apart.
    3. Grasp the bar with an overhand grip, hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
    4. Keep your back straight and your core engaged.
    5. Pull the bar towards your upper chest, squeezing your shoulder blades together.
    6. Pause for a moment at the top of the movement.
    7. Slowly release the bar back 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 London Bridge
    • Equipment: a cable, not a suspension trainer
    • Body position: standing, the same as the London Bridge
  2. Lever Reverse T-Bar RowPlay demonstration

    2. Lever Reverse T-Bar Row

    75% match

    Upper Back · Intermediate · Compound

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

    • Lever
    How to perform it
    1. Adjust the seat height and footplate position on the leverage machine.
    2. Sit on the machine with your chest against the pad and your feet flat on the footplate.
    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 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 London Bridge
    • Equipment: a machine, not a suspension trainer
    • Body position: standing, the same as the London Bridge
  5. Smith Bent Over RowPlay demonstration

    5. Smith Bent Over Row

    74% match

    Upper Back · Intermediate · Compound

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

    • Smith-machine
    How to perform it
    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 overhand grip, hands slightly wider than 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 London Bridge
    • Equipment: a machine, not a suspension trainer
    • Body position: standing, the same as the London Bridge
    • Balance: easier to stay steady on than the London Bridge

  8. 8. Elevator

    74% match

    Upper Back · Intermediate · Compound

London Bridge FAQ

What muscles does London Bridge work?

The London Bridge targets the upper-back, primarily the rhomboids, middle and lower trapezius and posterior deltoids, while also recruiting the erector spinae for spinal extension and the glutes for hip drive. Cue: pinch your shoulder blades together at the top to maximize rhomboid and mid-trap activation.

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