AB Wheel vs Cable Woodchopper
Which one fits your Core workout plan?
Contents
Planfit users log AB Wheel more often — 2,440 sessions vs 184. Compare Core form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Compare the benefits of AB Wheel and Cable Woodchopper and pick the one that fits your Core workout.
AB Wheel vs Cable Woodchopper: Which Do Planfit Users Choose?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log AB Wheel more often — 2,440 sessions compared to 184 for Cable Woodchopper.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. AB Wheel and Cable Woodchopper differ in the muscles they work, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.
How AB Wheel and Cable Woodchopper Differ
| What differs | AB Wheel | Cable Woodchopper |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | abs and back | abs and quads |
| One side at a time | No | Yes |
| Difficulty | 5 of 5 | 5 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 2,440 sessions | 184 sessions |
How to Do AB Wheel
AB Wheel Muscles Worked: Core
Form
- 1. Push the app wheel forward while engaging your core.
- 2. Slowly return to the starting position.
Coach's Tips
- 1. When pushing the ab wheel, engage your abs so that your lower back does not bend, and be careful not to strain your lower back.
- 2. Since fully extending your body is very difficult, at first, roll out only a short distance that does not cause lower back pain to adjust the difficulty.
For a full AB Wheel guide with alternatives and benefits, see the AB Wheel exercise guide.
How to Do Cable Woodchopper
Cable Woodchopper Muscles Worked: Core
Form
- 1. Pull diagonally downwards as if chopping a tree from top to bottom.
- 2. Rotate the pelvis and upper body together, and slowly return to the starting position.
Coach's Tips
- 1. Don't just twist your waist; rotate with your core and hips.
- 2. Proceed with a manageable weight that you can control without momentum.
For a full Cable Woodchopper guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Cable Woodchopper exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Core, AB Wheel or Cable Woodchopper?
Planfit users log AB Wheel more often — 2,440 sessions against 184 for Cable Woodchopper. Both train Core, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
Do AB Wheel and Cable Woodchopper work the same muscles?
Not quite. AB Wheel loads abs and back, and Cable Woodchopper loads abs and quads.
What equipment do AB Wheel and Cable Woodchopper need?
AB Wheel needs a machine, and Cable Woodchopper needs a machine.
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