How to Do Bear Crawl Sled Drags
Start and end of one clean rep of Bear Crawl Sled Drags.
Quick facts
| Primary muscle | Quads |
|---|---|
| Secondary muscles | Calves, Glutes, Hamstrings |
| Equipment | Machine |
| Category | Strongman |
How to perform Bear Crawl Sled Drags
- Wearing either a harness or a loose weight belt, attach the chain to the back so that you will be facing away from the sled. Bend down so that your hands are on the ground. Your back should be flat and knees bent. This is your starting position.
- Begin by driving with legs, alternating left and right. Use your hands to maintain balance and to help pull. Try to keep your back flat as you move over a given distance.
Muscles worked
- Quads (primary): extends the knee to drive squats, lunges and jumps.
- Calves (secondary): points the foot to power push-off and steady the ankle.
- Glutes (secondary): extends and stabilises the hip — the engine behind hinges, squats and sprints.
- Hamstrings (secondary): bends the knee and extends the hip through hinges and pulls.
Sets & reps by goal
| Goal | Sets × reps | Load | Rest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strength | 3–5 × 3–5 | Heavy (~85%+) | 2–3 min |
| Hypertrophy | 3–4 × 8–12 | Moderate (~65–75%) | 60–90 s |
| Endurance | 2–3 × 15–20 | Lighter (~50–60%) | 30–45 s |
Pick the row that matches your goal. If you're newer, anchor in the hypertrophy range while you groove the form.
Form tips
- Keep the knees tracking in line with the toes and push the whole foot into the floor.
- Set the seat and pads so the machine's pivot lines up with the joint you're training before your first rep.
- Brace hard and keep a neutral spine; loaded odd-object work punishes a loose torso fast.
- Stop a rep or two short of failure on most sets to keep form clean and recover faster.
Common mistakes
- Letting the knees cave inward as you push out of the bottom.
- Leaving the seat or range on a setting that forces the joint into an awkward angle.
- Letting the torso round the moment the object leaves the floor.
Frequently asked questions
What muscles does Bear Crawl Sled Drags work?
Bear Crawl Sled Drags mainly works the quads, with the calves, glutes, hamstrings helping as secondary movers.
What equipment do I need for Bear Crawl Sled Drags?
Bear Crawl Sled Drags needs the corresponding weight-stack or plate-loaded machine.
How many sets and reps should I do for Bear Crawl Sled Drags?
It depends on your goal: about 3–5 sets of 3–5 heavy reps for strength, 3–4 sets of 8–12 for muscle growth, or 2–3 sets of 15–20 for endurance. Pick the row that matches your goal. If you're newer, anchor in the hypertrophy range while you groove the form.
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