7 Best Weight Sleds in 2024: Top Picks for Strength & Conditioning

A weight sled is a fantastic and underrated tool to build strength, increase work capacity, improve conditioning, and generally make you fitter.

Sleds work well indoors but they also present an opportunity to get outside to impress your neighbors and soak in some vitamin D.

We’ve tested every type of weight sled, from basic drag sleds to premium magnetic resistance sleds. We’ve used them on pushes, pulls, and drags across various surfaces, including rubber, grass, and asphalt. Here are some of the things we considered when making our list (more below):

• Durability: Is the sled made of quality steel? Are there plastic skis for additional protection?
• Versatility: What is the sled best for? Are there multiple handles and attachment points? Can you use it on all surfaces? What other features stand out?
• Size: How much space does the sled take up? Can you easily store it?

In this article, I’ll share our picks for the best weight sleds for difference training goals, price points, and more. Whether you’re an advanced athlete or just someone looking for more training variety, we’ve got you covered.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall Weight Sled: Freak Athlete Wheelbarrow Sled

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Most Versatile Weight Sled: Rogue Dog Sled 1.2

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Best Premium Sled: Torque Tank M4

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Best Prowler Sled: REP Push-Pull Sled

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Best Sled for Outdoors: Xebex XT3

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Best Budget Sled: Titan Power Drag

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Best Speed Sled: Rogue Slice Sled

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Freak Athlete Wheelbarrow Sled: Best Weight Sled Overall

Best Overall

Freak Athlete Wheelbarrow Sled

The Freak Athlete Wheelbarrow Sled is a high-quality, versatile weight sled with excellent features, attachments, and functionality.

Key Specs

• Weight: 60.4 lbs
• Weight Capacity: 500 lbs
• Dimensions: 43″ L x 21″ W x 38″ H
• Plastic Skis: Included
• Attachments: Push Posts, Plastic Skis, Pro Sled Strap, Weight Spacers, Air Pump
• Warranty: Lifetime

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Summary

The Freak Athlete Wheelbarrow Sled is my top pick overall. This weight sled has excellent versatility, comes with premium accessories, and stands vertically for easy storage.

The best thing about this sled is its design. I’m thoroughly impressed with its versatility and performance, and it’s become my go-to weight sled in my gym. I appreciate the 500 lb weight capacity, and I love that I can store it vertically in a compact 21″x18″ footprint.

The most intriguing part of the design is the wheelbarrow functionality. This isn’t a common feature on weight sleds and is usually a steeply-priced addition. However, you can quickly convert this sled into a wheelbarrow by flipping the front tire down and repositioning the rear handles. They even provide an air pump, and its nice not having to use a bumper plate for the wheel like on others.

One set of vertical posts comes with the sled, although you can upgrade to two if you want them on both sides. The posts have two horizontal tiers and are tall for multiple push positions.

Another feature I love is the wrap around rail, which is commonly an upcharge on other sleds. This allows you to quickly change directions without having to turn the sled around since the strap is tethered to the rail.

The Wheelbarrow sled comes with sled strap, four 1″ plastic ski covers, an air pump, and three weight spacers to easily remove plates.

If you want a sled that does it all, comes with premium accessories, and doesn’t cost an arm and leg, I recommend the Freak Athlete Wheelbarrow Sled.

Rogue Dog Sled 1.2: Most Versatile Weight Sled

Most Versatile

Rogue Dog Sled 1.2

The Rogue Dog Sled 1.2 is an ultra-versatile weight sled with loads of attachments, a compact design, and a large weight capacity.

Key Specs

• Weight: 103 lbs
• Weight Capacity: 500+ lbs
• Dimensions: 40″ L x 24″ W x 39.5″ H
• Plastic Skis: Optional
• Attachments: Low Bar, High Bar, Double Handle, Single Bridge, Double Bridge, Wheelbarrow, Lawn Boy, Wraparound Rail, 16′ Strap, Pulling Rope, Plastic Skis
• Warranty: Limited lifetime

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Summary

The Rogue Dog Sled 1.2 is one of the most popular weight sleds on the market. Its compact frame is great for home gyms, but its biggest benefit is its versatility.

This sled is a workhorse and is great for pushing, pulling, dragging, and more. The standard sled comes with a center loading pin, two vertical posts, and a single eye hole in the front for attaching ropes, harnesses, and more.

Built with 2×3 11-gauge steel, it’s a heavy-duty sled weighing over 100 lbs with a high weight capacity. The underside of the skis are steel, but you can add plastic if you plan to use it on asphalt, gravel, etc.

Where this sled outshines others, including the less expensive Echo Dog Sled, is that it offers side holes in the skis for numerous attachments. In addition to common add-ons like extra uprights, sled straps, and plastic skis, the Dog Sled 1.2 offers the following:

• Low Bar Attachment – Allows for lower pushes for extra quad activation
• High Bar Attachment – Allows for a taller horizontal push
• Dog Sled Bridge(s) – Adds 4-way holes to front and/or back of sled
• Double Handle Attachment – Allows for high and low horizontal pushing (requires bridge)
• Lawn Boy Attachment – Extra high handles for pushing and dragging (requires bridge)
• Wraparound Rail Kit – Allows you to change direction without turning the sled around (requires both bridges)
• Wheelbarrow Attachment – Allows you to perform loaded wheelbarrow carries (requires both bridges and bumper plate for front wheel

With 12 total options, there’s a lot you can accomplish with this sled. However, it can get expensive if you plan to add a lot. If you have the budget and want maximum versatility, it’s a great choice. Otherwise, I recommend the the Freak Athlete sled or just the base model of the Dog Sled 1.2.

Torque Tank M4: Best Premium Weight Sled

Best Premium

Torque Tank M4

The Torque Tank M4 is a heavy-duty wheeled weight sled with built-in magnetic resistance. It's great on all surfaces and offers many accessory options.

Key Specs

• Weight: 198 lbs
• Weight Capacity: 270 lbs
• Dimensions: 52.5″ L x 31.9″ W x 37.1″ H
• Plastic Skis: Not Applicable
• Attachments: Weight Horn Kit, Swivel Attachment, Tow Strap, Tow Harness, Tow Rope, V-Strap, Clamp Phone Holder
• Warranty: 10 Years

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Summary

I’ve owned the Tank M4 since 2020, and it’s one of the coolest pieces of equipment in my gym. This is a premium weight sled with unique resistance and loads of versatility, but it’s pricey and larger than others.

The biggest benefit of the Tank M4 is the magnetic resistance. Unlike plate-loaded sleds, you can adjust the resistance with the flick of a lever on both sides of the sled. It ranges from neutral (easy) to 3 (very hard) with immediate feedback. It’s a fantastic sled for group training or if you want to perform super sets or HIIT.

Another huge benefit of the Tank M4 is the all terrain tires. They roll smoothly and are ultra-quiet on any surface. If you’re worried about making your neighbors mad, this sled or other similar wheeled sleds are a practical solution.

The M4 has eye holes and dual posts on both sides for pushing, pulling, dragging, and more. This is nice because it allows you to seamlessly walk around or perform a different type of movement in the opposite direction. For example, you can push for distance and immediately start pulling from a rope to go back to the start.

The biggest downside to the M4 is how big it is. Compared to other sleds, it’s a beast and isn’t as easily stored. It also weighs close to 200 lbs and isn’t easy to move around. Thankfully, Torque sells a swivel attachment, making it much easier.

The other downside is that it’s much more expensive than traditional weight sleds. There are numerous benefits with the tires, magnetic resistance, dual-sided handles, but if those don’t resonate with you, I recommend other sleds.

REP Push-Pull Weight Sled: Best Prowler Sled

Best Prowler Sled

REP Push-Pull Sled

The REP Push-Pull Sled is a high-quality prowler with multiple handle positions for high and low pulling. It has several attachment points and removable posts for saving space.

Key Specs

• Weight: 75 lbs
• Weight Capacity: N/A
• Dimensions: 40″ L x 38″ W x 42″ H
• Plastic Skis: Optional
• Attachments: Plastic Skis
• Warranty: Lifetime

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Summary

When you hear “prowler” you may immediately think of a push sled, which is completely normal considering that’s what a prowler typically is. This REP sled has a classic prowler look but with some additions that make it just as good for pulling.

Prowlers are characterized by their elevated tripod ski design and tall rear uprights. This allows you to push from low or high positions, depending on your training goals. The elongated shape also helps prevent the sled from tipping forward when pushing explosively from a high position.

To load this sled, you slide the plates directly onto the rear posts. You can also load smaller weight plates on the horizontal posts to introduce additional front load.

I love the dual height horizontal posts on this sled. Most prowlers have a single-height post to push from, but having the second height is helpful for different training goals and user heights. They also added three eye holes for connecting ropes, straps, and harnesses for pulling.

Like others, the REP sled has steel skis, but you can add plastic-lined skis for protection. They’re also easy to replace if or when the wear down.

Built with heavy-duty steel and weighing 75 lbs, this sled is on the larger side. The rear posts are removable for storage purposes, but it’s still beefier than most, so consider your space.

XEBEX XT3: Best Outdoor Weight Sled

Best for Outdoors

Xebex XT3 Sled

The Xebex XT3 Sled is a unique wheeled sled with notable features including magnetic resistance, a monitor, and adjustable handles.

Key Specs

• Weight: 102 lbs
• Weight Capacity: 385 lbs
• Dimensions: 48″ L x 28″ W x 46″ H
• Plastic Skis: Not Applicable
• Attachments: Monitor, Tri-Handles (Included), V-Strap (Included)
• Warranty: 10 Years

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Summary

The Xebex XT3 Sled is a magnetic resistance weight sled with unique features, including versatile handles, a swiveling monitor, and dual-sided capabilities. I’ve owned this sled since it was introduced in 2021, and I think it’s solid option for home gym owners looking for this sled style.

My favorite feature of this sled are the handles. Unlike most sleds with vertical posts, the XT3 has unique u-shaped handles for additional push variety. For example, you can perform “drive pushes” by gripping the front handles and driving your shoulders into the rear ones, as shown below.

Additionally, you can position the handles horizontally to perform wheelbarrow pushes. The textured powder coat provides good grip, and you can place them to the sides when storing the sled vertically. Compared to larger wheeled sleds, the XT3 takes up less space and is much easier to store and move around.

Another feature I love about this sled is that it has more levels of resistance. Unlike other with 3 or 4 levels, the XT3 has 8 for better performance. The top level is also harder than competing sleds, giving you better max capacity.

This is a very quiet sled because of its all terrain tires, making it a great option for outdoor sledding in the neighborhood. It’s also easier to turn around, thanks to the lighter frame and tripod design. With a push bar and tow strap in the front, you can push, pull, and drag this sled from both sides. Adding a plate or two to the center post helps keep traction to the ground and ensures 100% magnetic resistance.

Lastly, the XT3 has an optional swivel monitor that you can view from either side of the sled. It tracks the most important stats, including time, distance, watts, speed, and more. It can also connect to third-party apps for data retention.

If you like the idea of a quiet and versatile magnetic resistance weight sled and want to save space/money, I recommend the XT3.

Read Our Full Xebex XT3 Sled Review

Titan Power Drag: Best Budget Weight Sled

Best Budget Sled

Titan Power Drag Weight Sled

The Titan Power Drag is a budget-friendly pulling weight sled with a compact design and a 500 lb weight capacity.

Key Specs

• Weight: 37 lbs
• Weight Capacity: 500 lbs
• Dimensions: 24″ L x 16″ W x 18″ H
• Plastic Skis: No
• Attachments: 10′ Strap (Included)
• Warranty: 1 Year

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Summary

The Titan Power Drag Weight Sled is a no-frills option for those looking for a basic pulling sled at a low price. Depending on sales, you can find this sled for under $100 shipped, making it an excellent budget choice.

One of the biggest benefits of this sled is its size. At only 24″ L x 16 W, it’s the most space-friendly sled on this list. The 18″ weight post also folds down, giving you a virtually flat sled that you can easily store in your home gym.

As the name implies, this sled is built for dragging and pulling. It’s an old school strength and conditioning approach that can yield great results, but this type of sled isn’t as versatile as others on the list. It comes with a 10-foot strap that you can wear around your waist or your hands for forward and reverse drags.

This sled is built entirely with steel and offers an impressive 500 lb weight capacity. However, Titan doesn’t offer an option for a plastic skid plate. Check out the Fringe Sport Model A Sled as an alternative with plastic protection, but be prepared to spend a little more (still a good budget option).

Overall, I recommend the Titan Power Drag for budget shoppers and those looking for a basic pulling sled.

Rogue Slice Sled: Best Speed Sled

Best Speed Sled

Rogue Slice Sled

The Rogue Slice Sled is a streamlined weight sled built for sped pushes and pulls. It's compact and offers removable posts for saving space.

Key Specs

• Weight: 65 lbs
• Weight Capacity: 300+ lbs
• Dimensions: 27.5″ L x 22.8″ W x 37.3″ H
• Plastic Skis: Optional
• Attachments: 16′ Sled Strap, Plastic Skis
• Warranty: Lifetime

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Summary

The Rogue Slice Sled is a compact push/pull weight sled ideal for lighter weight speed training. Don’t get me wrong; it still has a 300 lb weight capacity, but it’s best suited for speed and acceleration training.

One of the best features of the Rogue Slice Sled is how small it is. If you’re training in a smaller space and don’t have room for a bulky sled, this is a great alternative. You can fold the center post down and remove the rear posts to flatten the sled for easy storage.

Although it’s small, you can still perform core sled movements, including low pushes, high pushes, drags, and pulls. You can purchase a 16′ sled strap through Rogue or use another one on the enter eye hole.

The 65 lb weight is good for beginners just starting in sled training or users looking to work on speed. It’s built with quarter-inch steel for durability and is made in the USA. You can also buy a plastic kit for protection.

Compare our Top Picks

Compare our selection of the best weight sleds below based on price and key specs. Scroll right to see more.

	Freak Athlete Sled See More	Rogue Dog Sled 1.2 See More	Torque Tank M4 See More	REP Push-Pull Sled See More	Xebex XT3 Sled See More	Titan Power Drag See More	Rogue Slice Sled See More
Price	$299	$295+	$1,599+	$199	$849+	$114.99	$195
Award	Best Overall	Most Versatile	Best Premium Sled	Best Prowler Sled	Best for Outdoors	Best Budget Sled	Best Speed Sled
Weight	60.4 lbs	103 lbs	198 lbs	75 lbs	102 lbs	37 lbs	65 lbs
Resistance	Plate-Loaded	Plate-Loaded	Magnetic	Plate-Loaded	Magnetic	Plate-Loaded	Plate-Loaded
Length	43″	40″	52.5″	40″	48″	24″	27.5″
Width	21″	24″	31.9″	38″	28″	16″	22.8″
Height	38″	39.5″	37.1″	42″	46″	18″	37.3″
Warranty	Lifetime	Limited Lifetime	10 Years	Lifetime	10 Years	1 Year	Limited Lifetime

Benefits of Weight Sled Training

Helps Build Strength and Power

Training with a weight sled is excellent for developing functional strength and power. Unlike isolated exercises, sled pushes and pulls engage multiple muscle groups simultaneously. You can effectively train the lower and upper body together, or you can concentrate on one or the other. For example, you can pull a sled toward you with rope using only your arms and back.

Power is developed when you move heavy weight quickly and with intent. By increasing weight and output, you can train explosive power that will translate into other training modalities, sports, etc. A weight sled is one of the best tools for this, and the risk of injury is very low.

Great for Cardio

Weigh sleds are an underrated and humbling tool for cardio. You can train high intensity efforts with short rest periods or longer distance efforts with longer rest. Either way, you’ll quickly get the heart rate up.

By combining resistance training with an aerobic component, you can create a HIIT effect for serious conditioning results. You’ll also increase stamina, general physical preparedness, and oxygen consumption, all of which is beneficial to heart health and overall performance.

Enhanced Athletic Performance

Weight sled training is beneficial for athletes looking to improve sport performance. By adding resistance through sled pushes, pulls, and sprints, athletes can work on their acceleration, agility, and explosive power.

The functional strength gained through sled training also contributes to improved stability and balance, which can prevent and recover from injuries.

How to Pick a Weight Sled

Here are a few of the most important factors to consider when buying a weight sled:

Materials & Construction

Sleds have to be able to withstand a lot of abuse. From holding hundreds of pounds to being dragged across asphalt, they take it on the chin.

A high-quality weight sled should be built of heavy-duty steel with clean and complete welds. Most plastic is limited to ski plates, which help protect the floor and the bottom of the sled. Depending on how often you use the sled and on what surfaces, you should expect to swap them out occasionally. Don’t worry, they’re inexpensive and easy to change.

Weight Capacity & Resistance

Weight sleds come in two primary resistance profiles: plate-loaded and magnetic. Plate-loaded is the most traditional and affordable, allowing you to manually add weight plates. These often have a capacity of 500+ lbs, making them great for everything from light speed work to heavy maximum efforts.

Magnetic resistance uses magnets instead of plates, making it easier and quicker to adjust. While they often include weight pegs, they’re designed to help create traction on the ground. In other words, they don’t contribute much to the overall resistance.

Footprint & Portability

Sleds can range from less than 3 square feet to as much as 12+ square feet. Smaller sleds are typically better for speed work, while larger sleds are built for heavy pushes, pulls, and drag.

While most sleds have smooth undercarriages, some have wheels. In the case of the Torque Tank, these wheels are a part of the sled’s functionality. However, in the case of the Freak Athlete Sled, small front wheels are included for easier portability.

Surface Types

You should be able to use a high-quality sled on any surface, including asphalt, grass, artificial turf, gravel, compact sand, and sometimes loose sand. Sleds with tires are more versatile, especially on outdoor surfaces with different terrain.

Traditional sleds may perform better on some surfaces than others. If you plan to use the sled outdoors on asphalt or other hard surfaces, I recommend plastic skis if the sled accepts them. They’ll protect the steel undercarriage and slide more efficiently.

Attachment Options

While sleds are made for pushing, pulling, and dragging, some include attachments for more versatility. These may include wrap-around rails, different handle positions, wheelbarrow options, etc. They aren’t necessary for everyone, but it never hurts to have access to more training variety.

Noise

If you’ve ever used a weight sled on asphalt or concrete, you know it can make a lot of noise – and your neighbors do too. Wheeled sleds are great if you’re training in a neighborhood because they’re virtually silent. However, adding plastic skis to a traditional sled can also reduce the noise, but only so much.

Price

Training sleds have a wide price range, depending on size, features, brand, and more. A basic drag sled may cost around $100 while magnetic resistance sleds can cost over $2,000. Most high-quality push/pull sleds cost between $200-$500.

Honorable Mentions

• Torque Tank M1 – The Torque Tank M1 is a magnetic resistance sled similar to the Xebex XT3. It actually predates that sled, but doesn’t have as many standard features. While the top-end resistance is comparable, it only has 3 levels vs. 8 on the XT3. The standard handles also aren’t as versatile, requiring you to buy separate wheelbarrow handles. It’s still a great sled – I own one – but I like the value and versatility of the XT3 more.
• XPO Trainer 2.0 – The XPO Trainer was at the forefront of the wheeled sled movement when it first launched. It has a similar look to XT3 and M1, but it doesn’t offer magnetic resistance. It still gets harder the harder you push, but it’s a much more basic design. It’s meant only for pushing and doesn’t have as much versatility. It’s a high-quality weight sled, but it didn’t make the main list because of those limitations.
• MiR Speed Sled – The MiR speed sled is a good ultra-budget pull sled. It comes with a weight vest and strap, making it a solid value buy. However, the paint job is fairly poor, and the overall quality isn’t as nice as the Titan Power Drag.
• Rage Fitness R2 Weight Sled – The Rage Fitness R2 sled is a nice budget and beginner-friendly pull/speed sled. It comes with a vest and strap, but has a small capacity of 90 lbs. If you need a basic sled for light training or speed work, it’s a contender, but I recommend others for a similar price.

FAQs About Weight Sleds

References

1. Linthorne, N. P., & Cooper, J. E. (2013). Effect of the coefficient of friction of a running surface on sprint time in a sled-towing exercise. Sports biomechanics, 12(2), 175–185. https://doi.org/10.1080/14763141.2012.726638
2. Lawrence, M., Hartigan, E., & Tu, C. (2013). Lower limb moments differ when towing a weighted sled with different attachment points. Sports biomechanics, 12(2), 186–194. https://doi.org/10.1080/14763141.2012.726639
3. Cottle, C. A., Carlson, L. A., & Lawrence, M. A. (2014). Effects of sled towing on sprint starts. Journal of strength and conditioning research, 28(5), 1241–1245. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000000396
4. Keogh, J. W., Newlands, C., Blewett, S., Payne, A., & Chun-Er, L. (2010). A kinematic analysis of a strongman-type event: the heavy sprint-style sled pull. Journal of strength and conditioning research, 24(11), 3088–3097. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181b62c2f
5. Goldman, P., Pandit, B., Gomez, D., Lu, S., Mills, C., Kull, N., Ku, R., Aramie, A., Kim, A., Alexandru, A., Hu, J., Neufeld, E. V., & Dolezal, B. A. (2022). Effect of Real-Time Feedback on Power Output Using a Novel Smart-Resisted Sled Push. International journal of exercise science, 15(6), 1578–1586.