Sled Push

Intermediate

A full-body horizontal pushing exercise using a weighted sled that targets quads, glutes, hamstrings, and calves to build strength, power, endurance, and conditioning; scalable by load and distance.

About Exercise

Equipment

Sled, Plates

Difficulty

3/5 • Intermediate

Primary Muscle Groups

Quads, Glutes

Secondary Muscles

Abs, Lower Back, Shoulders, Triceps

Accessory Muscles

Chest

Popularity Score

7

Goals

Strength
Power
Endurance
Conditioning

Training Style

CrossFit
Functional Training
Sports Performance

Setup Requirements

Requires Rack

No

Requires Bench

No

Requires Spotter

No

Space Needed

Large

Noise Level

Moderate

Muscle Breakdown

Quads

9/10

Rectus Femoris, Vastus Lateralis

Glutes

8/10

Glute Max

Calves

7/10

Gastrocnemius

Hamstrings

6/10

Biceps Femoris

Abs

5/10

Rectus Abdominis

Lower Back

4/10

Erector Spinae

Shoulders

3/10

Triceps

3/10

Chest

2/10
Programming

Typical Rep Range

1-5 reps

Rest Between Sets

60-120 seconds • Longer for heavy loads

How to Perform

Load weight plates onto the sled's central posts on a flat turf or rubber surface. Stand behind the sled with feet shoulder-width apart, gripping the high handles firmly while leaning forward at a 45-degree angle with a neutral spine.

  1. Bend knees and hips to lower body into athletic stance.
  2. Brace core and drive through balls of feet to push sled forward.
  3. Take short, powerful steps while extending hips and knees explosively.
  4. Keep arms straight as stabilizers without locking elbows.
  5. Maintain neutral head and spine position throughout.
  6. Continue pushing for set distance or time without stopping.
  7. Return to start by walking or resetting sled.

Coaching Tips

Form Cues

  • Drive with legs
  • Core tight
  • Short quick steps
  • Back flat
  • Eyes forward
  • Push ground away

Breathing

Inhale during preparation, brace core and exhale forcefully during each drive to maintain stability.

Tempo

2-0-1

Range of Motion

Push from full hip and knee extension back to partial flexion per step, covering 10-40 meters without losing neutral spine.

Safety

Safety Notes

  • Avoid if acute lower back pain
  • Use light load initially
  • Ensure flat non-slip surface
  • Do not overload beyond control
  • Monitor knee tracking

Spotting

Spotting not typically needed; assist by adding/removing weight or guiding sled on turns if space limited.

Common Mistakes

  • Rounding back
  • Over-relying on arms
  • Long strides
  • Heels dragging
  • Leaning too upright
  • Stopping mid-push

When to Avoid

  • Acute lower back injury
  • Knee joint instability
  • Shoulder impingement

Flexibility Needed

  • Adequate ankle dorsiflexion
  • Hip flexion mobility
  • Thoracic extension

Build Up First

  • Mastery of squat and lunge patterns
  • Core bracing proficiency
  • Basic pushing mechanics

Also known as

Prowler Push, Weighted Sled Push, Sled Drive

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