Structural Balance

Rear Delt Fly

A practical movement guide for every Mission SOP that uses this exercise. Sets, reps, load, tempo, and purpose remain specific to each mission and phase.

Movement guide available

Anatomy map

Muscles involved

Primary Supporting
Option 2 custom anatomy illustration for Rear Delt Fly, with primary and supporting muscles highlighted
PrimaryDeltoids
SupportingRotator cuffTrapeziusTriceps brachii

ShaOS custom anatomy illustration. Visual reference only; movement coaching and muscle classifications remain defined by the Exercise Library.

Description

A shoulder isolation movement that develops the rear deltoids and upper-back control to balance pressing volume and support posture.

Setup & Execution

  1. Use a reverse-fly machine, cables, or light dumbbells and set the torso in a stable position.
  2. Begin with arms reaching forward and elbows softly bent.
  3. Open the arms in a wide arc until they align roughly with the torso.
  4. Return slowly while keeping tension in the rear shoulders.

Coaching Cues

  • Reach wide through the hands.
  • Move from the shoulders.
  • Keep the neck relaxed.

Common Mistakes

  • Turning the movement into a row.
  • Shrugging the shoulders upward.
  • Using momentum or excessive load.

Movement media

See the movement

Reviewed short loop
Published media
Short silent loop · 6.6 seconds
Reviewed
Jul 16, 2026
Video source
Open source record
30–60 second tutorialplanned
Setup angleplanned
Side angleplanned
Key cue overlayplanned
Captionsplanned
Transcriptplanned

Accessible movement summary

Use a reverse-fly machine, cables, or light dumbbells and set the torso in a stable position. Begin with arms reaching forward and elbows softly bent. Open the arms in a wide arc until they align roughly with the torso. Return slowly while keeping tension in the rear shoulders.

Key cue: Reach wide through the hands.

The production indicators above are roadmap states, not claims that multi-angle footage, overlays, captions, or a narrated transcript are already available.

Adapt the movement

Regressions & alternatives

Preserve the movement pattern while matching current capacity, available equipment, and the mission environment.

Regression

Resistance-band pull-apart

Progression

Single-arm cable rear-delt fly

Home gym

Bent-over light dumbbell rear-delt fly

Commercial gym

Reverse pec-deck fly

Used in

Linked Mission SOPs

Upper Hypertrophy & Structural BalancePrecision