AB Wheel vs Full Plank
Which one fits your Core workout plan?
Contents
Planfit users log AB Wheel more often — 2,440 sessions vs 341. Compare Core form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Compare the benefits of AB Wheel and Full Plank and pick the one that fits your Core workout.
AB Wheel vs Full Plank: 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 341 for Full Plank.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. AB Wheel and Full Plank 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 Full Plank Differ
| What differs | AB Wheel | Full Plank |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | abs and back | abs, chest, and glutes |
| Equipment | a machine | bodyweight only |
| Difficulty | 5 of 5 | 3 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 2,440 sessions | 341 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 Full Plank
Full Plank Muscles Worked: Core
Form
- 1. Extend your elbows and maintain a position where your shoulders and arms are vertical, keeping your feet narrower than shoulder-width apart.
- 2. Imagine there is a long stick behind your back and align your head, waist, hips, and legs in a straight line.
- 3. Raise your toes, engage your core and glutes, and hold the position.
Coach's Tips
- Keep your body in a straight line and be careful not to let your back sag.
For a full Full Plank guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Full Plank exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Core, AB Wheel or Full Plank?
Planfit users log AB Wheel more often — 2,440 sessions against 341 for Full Plank. Both train Core, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
Do AB Wheel and Full Plank work the same muscles?
Not quite. AB Wheel loads abs and back, and Full Plank loads abs, chest, and glutes.
What equipment do AB Wheel and Full Plank need?
AB Wheel needs a machine, and Full Plank needs bodyweight only.
Which is easier to start with?
Full Plank is the easier place to start. Move to AB Wheel once your form holds up.
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