Rear delts
Rear shoulder work from fly, face pull and row variations.
Exercises that train the Rear delts
- Band Face PullPrimary · Resistance band
- Band Front Face PullPrimary · Resistance band
- Band Reverse FlyPrimary · Resistance band
- Barbell Rear Delt RaisePrimary · Barbell
- Bent Over Rear Delt Fly DumbbellPrimary · Dumbbell
- Bent Over Rear Delt Fly Resistance BandPrimary · Resistance band
- Bodyweight Bent Over Rear Delt FlyPrimary · Bodyweight
- Cable Rear Delt FlyPrimary · Cable
- Cable Rear Drive Bent ArmPrimary · Cable
- Cable Reverse Fly on CrossoverPrimary · Cable
- Cable Seated Rear Lateral RaisePrimary · Cable
- Cable Single Arm Reverse FlyPrimary · Cable
- Dumbbell Bent Over Face PullPrimary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbell Cuban Press (Version 2)Primary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbell External RotationPrimary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbell Incline Rear Lateral RaisePrimary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbell Lying One Arm Rear Lateral RaisePrimary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbell Lying Rear Lateral RaisePrimary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbell Rear Lateral RaisePrimary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbell Reverse FlyPrimary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbell Shoulder ExtensionPrimary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbell Upright Shoulder External RotationPrimary · Dumbbell
- Pull Apart Cable Resistance BandPrimary · Cable
- Rear Delt Fly Cable Resistance BandPrimary · Cable
- Resistance Band Face PullPrimary · Resistance band
- Resistance Band Pull ApartPrimary · Resistance band
- Resistance Band Standing External RotationPrimary · Resistance band
- Resistance Band Standing Single Arm Shoulder ExtensionPrimary · Resistance band
- Resistance Band Standing Single Arm Shoulder FlexionPrimary · Resistance band
- Resistance Bands Face PullPrimary · Resistance band
- Reverse Machine FlyPrimary · Machine
- Seated Dumbbell Rear Delt FlyPrimary · Dumbbell
- Shoulder AbductionPrimary · Bodyweight
- Shoulder ExtensionPrimary · Bodyweight
- Standing SwimmerPrimary · Bodyweight
- Suspension Trainer with Grips Face PullPrimary · Bodyweight
- Suspension Trainer with Grips Split FlyPrimary · Bodyweight
- Band Bent-Over RowSecondary · Resistance band
- Band Close Grip RowSecondary · Resistance band
- Band Fixed Back Underhand PulldownSecondary · Cable
- Band Incline RowSecondary · Resistance band
- Band Kneeling Lat PulldownSecondary · Cable
- Band Kneeling Single Arm High RowSecondary · Resistance band
- Band Lying Reverse Grip RowSecondary · Resistance band
- Band Rotating Hammer Grip Incline Bench RowSecondary · Resistance band
- Band Squat RowSecondary · Resistance band
- Band Standing Rear Delt RowSecondary · Resistance band
- Barbell Bent Over RowSecondary · Barbell
- Barbell Bent Over Row Pronated GripSecondary · Barbell
- Barbell Bent Over Row Supinated GripSecondary · Barbell
- Barbell Long Landmine RowSecondary · Barbell
- Barbell Lying RowSecondary · Barbell
- Barbell Meadows RowSecondary · Barbell
- Barbell Pendlay RowSecondary · Barbell
- Barbell Push Bent Over RowSecondary · Barbell
- Barbell Reverse Grip Bent Over RowSecondary · Barbell
- Barbell Supinated Pendlay RowSecondary · Barbell
- Barbell Underhand Bent Over RowSecondary · Barbell
- Behind Neck Lat Pull Down MachineSecondary · Cable
- Bent Over Barbell RowSecondary · Barbell
- Bent Over Row Resistance BandSecondary · Resistance band
- Bent-Over Row with BarSecondary · Barbell
- Bodyweight Kneeling Push-Up RowSecondary · Bodyweight
- Cable Bar Lateral PulldownSecondary · Cable
- Cable Bent Over Reverse Grip RowSecondary · Cable
- Cable Bent Over RowSecondary · Cable
- Cable Close Grip Front Lat PulldownSecondary · Cable
- Cable Lat PrayerSecondary · Cable
- Cable Low Seated RowSecondary · Cable
- Cable Lying Extension Pullover (with Cables Attachment)Secondary · Cable
- Cable One Arm Bent Over RowSecondary · Cable
- Cable One Arm Lat PulldownSecondary · Cable
- Cable Palm Rotational RowSecondary · Cable
- Cable PulldownSecondary · Cable
- Cable Pulldown (Pro Lat Bar)Secondary · Cable
- Cable Rear PulldownSecondary · Cable
- Cable Reverse Grip Straight Back Seated High RowSecondary · Cable
- Cable Seated on Floor RowSecondary · Cable
- Cable Seated One Arm Alternate RowSecondary · Cable
- Cable Seated RowSecondary · Cable
- Cable Seated Supine Grip RowSecondary · Cable
- Cable Straight Arm PulldownSecondary · Cable
- Cable Twin Handle Parallel Grip Lat PulldownSecondary · Cable
- Cable Underhand Pulldown Wide GripsSecondary · Cable
- Dumbbell Alternating Pendlay RowSecondary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbell Armpit RowSecondary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbell Bent Arm PulloverSecondary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbell Bent-Over Reverse RowSecondary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbell Bent-Over RowSecondary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbell Hammer Grip Incline Bench Two Arm RowSecondary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbell Incline RowSecondary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbell Knee Lawnmower RowSecondary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbell Lying Rear Delt RowSecondary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbell One Arm Row (Rack Support)Secondary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbell Pendlay RowSecondary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbell PulloverSecondary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbell Pullover (Version 2)Secondary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbell Pullover Hip Extension on Exercise BallSecondary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbell Pullover on FloorSecondary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbell Rear Delt RowSecondary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbell Renegade RowSecondary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbells Bent Over RowSecondary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbells Bent Over Row Pronated GripSecondary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbells Single Arm RowSecondary · Dumbbell
- Hammer Strength Plate Loaded High Row Alternate ArmsSecondary · Machine
- Hammer Strength Plate Loaded High Row Both ArmsSecondary · Machine
- Hammer Strength Plate Loaded High Row Single ArmsSecondary · Machine
- Kettlebell Gorilla RowSecondary · Kettlebell
- Kettlebell PulloverSecondary · Kettlebell
- Kettlebell Single Leg Glute Bridge PulloverSecondary · Kettlebell
- Landmine RowSecondary · Barbell
- Lat Pull Down Close GripSecondary · Cable
- Lat Pull Down Normal GripSecondary · Cable
- Lat Pull Down Wide GripSecondary · Cable
- Prone Bench Row Barbell Pronate GripSecondary · Barbell
- Prone Bench Row Barbell Reverse GripSecondary · Barbell
- Prone Bench Row DumbbellsSecondary · Dumbbell
- Prone Bench Row Dumbbells Pronated GripSecondary · Dumbbell
- Prone Bench Row Dumbbells Supinated GripSecondary · Dumbbell
- Resistance Band - Cable RowSecondary · Cable
- Resistance Band Cross Body Single Straight Arm Supinated PulldownSecondary · Cable
- Resistance Band Kneeling Cross Body Single Straight Arm Supinated PulldownSecondary · Cable
- Reverse Grip Lat Pull DownSecondary · Cable
- Seated Cable Row V Bar MachineSecondary · Cable
- Seated Normal Grip Row MachineSecondary · Machine
- Single Arm Cable Row LeftSecondary · Cable
- Single Arm Cable Row RightSecondary · Cable
- Single Arm Standing Low Cable RowSecondary · Cable
- Straight Bar Cable Pull DownSecondary · Cable
- Straight Bar Cable Row Close GripSecondary · Cable
- Straight Bar Cable Row Normal GripSecondary · Cable
- Suspension Trainer with Grips Bent Knee Inverted RowSecondary · Bodyweight
- Suspension Trainer with Grips High RowSecondary · Bodyweight
- Suspension Trainer with Grips Inverted RowSecondary · Bodyweight
- Suspension Trainer with Grips Rear Delt RowSecondary · Bodyweight
- Suspension Trainer with Grips Single Arm Rear Delt RowSecondary · Bodyweight
- Suspension Trainer with Grips Wide Grip Inverted Row on FloorSecondary · Bodyweight
- V Bar Lat Pull DownSecondary · Cable
- Rear Delt StretchPrimary · Bodyweight
- Back Slaps Wrap Around StretchSecondary · Bodyweight
- Middle Back Rotation StretchSecondary · Bodyweight
- Upper Back StretchSecondary · Bodyweight
- Jump Rope Face PullPrimary · Bodyweight
- Ski Ergometer Cross Country Ski Kneeling Reverse Fly PullPrimary · Machine
- Ski Ergometer Cross Country Ski Reverse Fly PullPrimary · Machine
- Butt Kick with RowSecondary · Bodyweight
- Jump Rope RowSecondary · Bodyweight
- Ski Ergometer Cross Country Ski Pullover PullSecondary · Machine
How to train it
Train the Rear delts with 2–4 of the movements above. Cover different angles, use 2–4 sets each in a 6–15 rep range, and progress the load over time. Pair primary lifts with assisting movements for complete development.
Open the muscle planner →Rear delts FAQ
What are the best exercises for the Rear delts?
Band Face Pull, Band Front Face Pull, Band Reverse Fly and Barbell Rear Delt Raise are among the most effective rear delts exercises. Pair a heavy compound movement with one or two assistance exercises to train the rear delts through its full range.
How often should you train the Rear delts?
Training the rear delts two to three times per week, with roughly 10–20 hard sets in total, works well for most lifters. Leave about 48 hours between demanding rear delts sessions so the muscle can recover and grow.