What muscles does the Backstroke Swim work?

Mainly the upper back. It also works the abs, front delts, glutes and triceps.

What equipment do you need for the Backstroke Swim?

None. It is a bodyweight exercise.

GymVim rates it intermediate. For a beginner-rated exercise on the same muscle and movement, see the Steady-State Rowing Machine.

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Supine alternating-arm swimming where body roll lets the large back muscles pull while a flutter kick holds position.

Float face up with your body flat, ears in the water and eyes looking up.
Hold a long body line with hips near the surface and a steady flutter kick.
Enter one arm overhead with the little finger first and the palm turned out.
Roll your shoulders and hips toward the entering arm so the back muscles can pull.
Bend the elbow underwater and press the water toward your hip to finish the stroke.
Recover that arm straight over the surface as the other arm starts its pull.

Swimming flat with no body roll, which loads the shoulder instead of the back.
Letting the hips sink, so the legs drag and stroke rate has to rise to compensate.
Lifting the head to look forward, which drops the hips and breaks the body line.
Crossing the entry arm past the midline, which forces the shoulder into an end-range position.

What muscles does the Backstroke Swim work?: Mainly the upper back. It also works the abs, front delts, glutes and triceps.
What equipment do you need for the Backstroke Swim?: None. It is a bodyweight exercise.
Is the Backstroke Swim good for beginners?: GymVim rates it intermediate. For a beginner-rated exercise on the same muscle and movement, see the Steady-State Rowing Machine.