10 Best Sled Reverse Flye Alternatives for Limited Equipment

The Sled Reverse Flye is done standing. Ranked closest by our scoring: the Bodyweight Standing Row (With Towel), the Elevator and the Bodyweight Standing Close-grip Row.

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

Original Exercise: Sled Reverse Flye

Sled Reverse Flye
Primary muscle
Delts
Equipment
Other
Difficulty
Intermediate
Type
Isolation
How to perform Sled Reverse Flye
  1. Attach dual handles to a sled connected by a rope or chain. Load the sled to a light weight.
  2. Face the sled, backing up until there is some tension in the line. Take both handles at arms length at about waist level. Bend the knees slightly and keep your chest and head up. This will be your starting position.
  3. Without flexing the elbow, pull the handles upward and apart, performing a reverse fly with some external rotation. Your palms should be facing forward as you do this.
  4. Return to the starting position, taking a couple steps back to take the slack out of the line.
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Ranked Sled Reverse Flye Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Sled Reverse Flye 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 Row (With Towel)Play demonstration

    1. Bodyweight Standing Row (With Towel)

    52% match
    • Lats
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound

    A looser match: it works the lats rather than the delts.

    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 delts
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Sled Reverse Flye
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Sled Reverse Flye
  2. ElevatorPlay demonstration

    2. Elevator

    50% match
    • Upper Back
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound

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

    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 delts
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Sled Reverse Flye
  3. Bodyweight Standing Close-grip RowPlay demonstration

    3. Bodyweight Standing Close-grip Row

    48% 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 delts
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Sled Reverse Flye
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Sled Reverse Flye
  4. Bodyweight Standing RowPlay demonstration

    4. Bodyweight Standing Row

    48% 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 delts
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Sled Reverse Flye
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Sled Reverse Flye
  5. HyperextensionPlay demonstration

    5. Hyperextension

    45% match
    • Spine
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound

    A looser match: it works the spinal erectors rather than the delts.

    How to perform this exercise
    1. Adjust the hyperextension bench so that your upper thighs are resting on the pad and your feet are secured.
    2. Cross your arms over your chest or place your hands behind your head.
    3. Lower your upper body towards the ground while keeping your back straight.
    4. Pause for a moment at the bottom, then raise your upper body back up until it is in line with your legs.
    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: spine, not delts
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: lying face down, not standing
    • Balance: easier to stay steady on than the Sled Reverse Flye
  6. Hyperextension (On Bench)Play demonstration

    6. Hyperextension (On Bench)

    45% match
    • Spine
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Adjust the hyperextension bench so that your hips are resting comfortably on the pad and your feet are secured.
    2. Cross your arms over your chest or place your hands behind your head.
    3. Slowly lower your upper body towards the ground while keeping your back straight.
    4. Pause for a moment at the bottom, then raise your upper body back up until it is in line with your legs.
    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: spine, not delts
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: lying face down, not standing
    • Balance: easier to stay steady on than the Sled Reverse Flye
  7. One Arm Towel RowPlay demonstration

    7. One Arm Towel Row

    45% match
    • Upper Back
    • 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 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 delts
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Sled Reverse Flye
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Sled Reverse Flye
  8. Inverted Row With StrapsPlay demonstration

    8. Inverted Row With Straps

    44% match
    • Lats
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Set up a suspension trainer or straps at chest height.
    2. Stand facing the anchor point and grab the handles with an overhand grip.
    3. Walk your feet forward, leaning back until your body is at an angle.
    4. Keep your body straight and engage your core.
    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 delts
    • Equipment: a suspension trainer, not free weights
    • Body position: hanging, not standing
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Sled Reverse Flye
  9. Bodyweight Standing One Arm RowPlay demonstration

    9. Bodyweight Standing One Arm Row

    44% 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.
    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 delts
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Sled Reverse Flye
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Sled Reverse Flye
  10. Bodyweight Standing One Arm Row (With Towel)Play demonstration

    10. Bodyweight Standing One Arm Row (With Towel)

    43% 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 delts
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Sled Reverse Flye
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Sled Reverse Flye

Sled Reverse Flye FAQ

What muscles does Sled Reverse Flye work?

The sled reverse flye primarily targets the posterior deltoid and assists scapular retraction via the rhomboids and middle trapezius. It produces horizontal abduction of the shoulder, so cue pulling through the elbow to maximize rear-delt activation and limit upper-trap dominance.

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