There might be affiliate links on this page, which means we get a small commission on anything you buy. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
A prowler sled can offer many benefits but you may want other options. What are some alternatives to prowler sleds with similar benefits?
Prowler workout sleds are a steel construction you can load with weights and pull or push as a type of exercise.
This piece of equipment allows you to implement workouts that are challenging for both your cardiovascular system and muscles. Because the weights are so convenient to adjust you can easily focus more on one or the other.
Whether you don’t enjoy using a prowler sled, you want a cheaper alternative, or you want an alternative for any other reason, these prowler workout alternatives can help you train similar areas of your health.
Keep in mind that implementing these alternatives can offer benefits but like while using any exercise equipment, there is always some risk of injury.
Make sure you use these equipment options in a safe way and if needed, get guidance from an expert.
1. Weighted vest
As the name implies, a weighted vest is a vest with extra weights, often these are adjustable. The main way you can use this piece of equipment as a prowler sled alternative is by strapping it on and running forward, backward, or sideways.
By doing this the running becomes harder on your quadriceps, glutes, calves, hamstrings, and cardiovascular system, similar to using a prowler sled.
One potential downside of running with a weighted vest instead of for example pushing a prowler sled is that you are not bent over.
This leads to more focus on your glutes. Depending on your training goals this can be an advantage or disadvantage.
On the other hand, weighted vests also offer many benefits over prowler sleds as a piece of workout equipment. First of all, you can use it to make many more exercises besides running more challenging.
Additionally, weighted vests are generally cheaper than the best prowler workout sleds.
2. Treadmill
A treadmill is one of the most popular gym machines there is. It simulates an endless flat surface to walk or run on. Using certain treadmill types while they are still turned off can offer a workout similar to pushing or pulling a prowler sled.
The way many treadmills work is that a motor powers the moving of the band. If you keep the motor turned off you will have to hold the treadmill frame and exert a lot more effort to move the belt (running surface).
This is similar to the extra effort you have to put in when pushing a prowler sled with weights.
One downside of treadmills as a prowler sled alternative is that the resistance is not adjustable. You can’t really choose how much you want to focus on cardiovascular health vs strengthening muscles.
Additionally, if you plan to get workout equipment at home, treadmills tend to cost more than prowler sleds.
On the other hand, treadmills do offer you a good cardio workout option indoors. You also don’t need a large amount of room to use the treadmill.
3. Weight plate
Weight plates are simply plates of heavy material with a hole in the middle that allows them to be put on barbells and gym machines like the smith machine or leg press machine.
This piece of fitness equipment may not look like a prowler sled but it can be used in a somewhat similar way. For this, you will need room on a surface similar to what you would use a prowler sled on.
After that, you put your hands on the weight plate and start pushing it forward with the help of your legs.
This is by no means the perfect prowler sled alternative. Your back is in a less comfortable position, you don’t have as much resistance, and the resistance is not really adjustable unless you change surfaces.
That being said, weight plates are a lot more common in gyms and a lot cheaper to get at home. On top of that, weight plates can be used in combination with other equipment like barbells to do a variety of exercises.
Besides that, similar to prowler sleds, weight plates generally last a long time without really losing their value.
4. Stairmaster
The stairmaster is a gym machine that simulates an endless flight of stairs. That may not sound like a dream scenario but it can definitely offer a great cardio workout. If you have a large flight of stairs available you can definitely use that instead.
Due to the upward pushing your legs have to do, climbing the stairs will be more challenging for your glutes, quadriceps, calves, and hamstrings than simply walking somewhere. This makes it a decent prowler sled alternative.
There are of course also differences. Using a stairmaster is generally not as challenging for your muscles as pushing or pulling a prowler sled with heavy weight plates.
One way to resolve this is by wearing a weighted vest or holding weights in your hands. Make sure you can still keep your balance on the stairmaster with these options.
Besides that, climbing stairs focuses more on your glute muscles compared to pushing a prowler sled in a bent-over position.
The main downside of a good stairmaster is that if you want to get one at home, it comes at a relatively steep price. This cardio equipment option will also require quite a big amount of storage room.
All in all, the effects of using a stairmaster are definitely not the exact same as prowler sled workouts. Even so, this alternative can still offer you a good cardiovascular workout while engaging your muscles a nice amount.
5. Kettlebell
A kettlebell is a metal ball with a handle on top, usually made of cast iron or cast steel. Similar to weight plates you can put a kettlebell sideways on the ground, put your hands on it, and push it similar to a prowler sled.
This alternative will generally be less challenging than a weight plate due to the smaller contact surface with the ground.
Besides the use, the downsides of using a kettlebell this way are also similar to the weight plate. You don’t have as much resistance, it is not really adjustable, and your back is likely in an uncomfortable position.
You can try using the kettlebell this way and decide whether you like it better than the other alternatives on this list or not.
If you are looking for a piece of fitness equipment to invest in, some of the benefits of kettlebells include that they also last a very long time without much reduction in value. Even after using them many times, kettlebells will have a very similar sturdiness and strength.
Additionally, kettlebells can be used in a variety of exercises for a variety of fitness components and muscles. A few kettlebells are also generally cheaper than a prowler sled and require less room to use.
6. Barbell setup
A barbell is a long steel bar you can put weight plates on. This is more of a prowler sled alternative in the sense that it allows you to focus a lot more on resistance training.
You can still load the barbell with lighter weights and do something like speed squats to mimic pushing a prowler sled. However, a weighted barbell will stand out more for really focusing on muscle growth and strength progress.
A benefit of a barbell setup is that you don’t have to stick to exercises that target your legs similar to prowler sleds. Other body parts like triceps, biceps, shoulders, etc. can be trained too. Additionally, you need less room to use a barbell.
Similar to a prowler sled, a barbell, weight plates, and power rack often last a very long time without really losing their value.
One downside of a barbell setup is it generally requires a higher investment than a prowler sled. Additionally, this alternative requires more storage room.
7. Battle ropes
Battle ropes are heavy ropes that you anchor somewhere. You then use this equipment option by swinging the ropes back and forth in a variety of ways for a variety of body parts.
This is not a prowler sled alternative in the sense that it targets the same muscles.
However, you can use battle ropes instead of a prowler sled if you are interested in a cardiovascular workout that engages your upper body muscles instead of your legs.
You can even influence how much battle ropes focus on your cardiovascular system vs muscles by moving farther from or closer to the anchor.
Two additional benefits of battle ropes over a prowler sled is that they generally require a lower investment and require less storage room.
