Rear delt fly alternatives

A cable rear delt fly or reverse pec deck keeps a wide-arm fly. Face pulls offer a broader rear-shoulder option that adds elbow movement and rotation.

The original uses dumbbells with the chest supported on an incline bench. Changing to an unsupported hinge, guided handles or a rope pull changes support and arm action.

Anatomical illustration of a man lying chest-down on an incline bench and raising dumbbells out to the sides, with the rear shoulders highlighted.
What equipment can you use?

Choose everything you have. Some exercises need two items, such as dumbbells and a flat bench. Choose floor space for options without equipment.

Your replacements

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These options need different equipment. Use the finder above to show only the setups you can use.

  • Anatomical illustration of a bent-over cable rear delt fly before and after the handles move wide, with the rear shoulders highlighted.

    Similar movement

    Cable rear delt fly

    You need: Two adjustable cable pulleys set low + Pair of single cable handles

    Why it fits
    Keeps a wide-arm fly with a nearly fixed elbow angle.
    What changes
    The linked guide uses crossed low cables and an unsupported hip hinge. You need two suitable pulleys and two handles; keep the torso steady instead of relying on a bench.
    See exercise guide
  • Anatomical illustration from behind of a man opening the handles of a reverse pec-deck machine, with the rear shoulders and upper back highlighted.

    Similar movement

    Reverse pec deck

    You need: Reverse pec deck with chest pad and handles

    Why it fits
    Keeps a supported wide-arm fly for the rear shoulders.
    What changes
    You sit facing the machine’s chest pad while its handles guide the movement. The load scale and path differ from dumbbells on an incline bench.
    See exercise guide
  • Anatomical illustration of a standing rope face pull shown before and after the pull, with the rear shoulders and upper back highlighted.

    Different movement

    Face pulls

    You need: Adjustable cable pulley set high + Cable rope attachment

    Why it fits
    Can fill a broader rear-shoulder slot using a rope pull.
    What changes
    You bend the elbows to pull toward the forehead and rotate the hands apart. This adds an external-rotation finish rather than preserving the fly’s nearly fixed elbow angle.
    See exercise guide
See the original exercise guide

How we choose replacements

These are curated alternatives, chosen for the movement and the job the exercise does in a workout. A shared muscle group is not enough. Read what changes before choosing: support, range of motion, balance and resistance can all differ. If your goal is to improve a specific lift, alternatives do not replace practice of that lift.

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