Exercises Shoulders Bent Over Reverse Flye

Bent Over Reverse Flye: Correct Form & Muscles Worked

Rear Deltoids primary Dumbbells Beginner Isolation · Pull

The bent over reverse flye isolates the rear deltoids from a hinged-over position using light dumbbells. Simple, effective, and works anywhere you have dumbbells.

Front Back
Rear Deltoidsprimary
Rhomboids, Trapssecondary

Find Your Working Weight

Enter a recent set to calculate targets

Crunching numbers...
Estimated 1RM
GoalWeightReps × Sets

Save your Bent Over Reverse Flye numbers

Save to SetMaxx →

Bent Over Reverse Flye Video Tutorial

Video tutorial coming soon

How to Do the Bent Over Reverse Flye

  1. Hinge at the hips until your torso is roughly parallel to the floor. Hold light dumbbells, arms hanging down, palms facing each other.
  2. Keep a slight fixed bend in the elbows throughout.
  3. Raise both arms out to the sides in a wide arc, leading with the elbows.
  4. Raise until arms are parallel to the floor. Squeeze the rear delts.
  5. Lower under control. Don't swing.

Bent Over Reverse Flye Mistakes to Avoid

Going too heavy — 3-8kg is typical even for strong lifters. Swinging means too heavy.
Not hinging enough — torso too upright turns it into a lateral raise. Get close to parallel.
Bending elbows more during the rep — keep the angle fixed. Bending turns it into a row.
Using body momentum — only arms move. Torso stays still.

Bent Over Reverse Flye Muscles Worked

The bent over reverse flye isolates the posterior deltoid through horizontal abduction in a hinged position. Rhomboids and middle traps assist.

Bent Over Reverse Flye Alternatives

Reverse Pec DeckWant machine isolation — easier to control
Face PullWant cable rear delt with external rotation
Cable Reverse FlyeWant constant cable tension
Band Pull ApartWant simplest version with just a band

Bent Over Reverse Flye Programming

Strength
3 × 10-12
sets × reps
Rest 60 sec
Hypertrophy
3 × 12-15
sets × reps
Rest 45 sec
Endurance
3 × 15-20
sets × reps
Rest 30 sec

Not sure how to program the Bent Over Reverse Flye into your routine?

SetMaxx builds your workout plan and tracks every set with one tap.

Get SetMaxx free →

Bent Over Reverse Flye FAQ

How heavy for reverse flyes?
Very light — 3-8kg. The rear delt is small. If you need more than 10kg, larger muscles are taking over.
Standing or seated?
Both work. Seated on a bench edge is stricter. Standing requires more hip hinge stability. Use whichever feels the rear delts more.
Do I need reverse flyes if I do face pulls?
They hit slightly different angles. Face pulls include external rotation. Reverse flyes are pure horizontal abduction. Both is ideal.
How many sets per week?
6-12 total rear delt sets per week across all exercises. Rear delts recover fast and handle high frequency.