Barbell Thruster vs Crunch

Maximizing Your Core Workout Plan

Contents

Planfit users log Crunch more often — 29,245 sessions vs 38. Compare Core form, muscles worked, and when to use each.

Customize Your Core Workout: Explore the Benefits of Barbell Thruster and Crunch for Better Comparison.

Planfit Users' Choice about Barbell Thruster vs Crunch : Which is Better?

Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Crunch more often — 29,245 sessions compared to 38 for Barbell Thruster.

Popularity is not the whole answer. Barbell Thruster and Crunch differ in the muscles they load, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.

How Barbell Thruster and Crunch Differ

What differsBarbell ThrusterCrunch
Muscles workedfront delts, quads, and tricepsabs
Equipmenta barbellbodyweight only
Difficulty5 of 51 of 5
Sessions logged by Planfit users38 sessions29,245 sessions
Not sure whether Barbell Thruster or Crunch fits your goal? Get a personalized plan

How to Barbell Thruster

Barbell Thruster gif

Barbell Thruster muscles worked: Core

Form

  1. 1. Push your hips back and do a deep squat.
  2. 2. Stand up and press the barbell overhead in one motion.
  3. 3. Lower the barbell back to your shoulders and continue to the next squat.

Coach's Comment

  1. 1. Engage your core to keep your back straight.
  2. 2. Make sure your knees don't go past your toes, and avoid excessive weight.

If you want to know a detailed guide to Barbell Thruster, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Barbell Thruster Guide page of our blog!

Do you want to know more about Barbell Thruster methods?Exercise Guide

How to Crunch

Crunch gif

Crunch muscles worked: Core

Form

  1. 1. Please lift your upper body while keeping your back straight.
  2. 2. Slowly return to the starting position.

Coach's Comment

  1. 1. If you lift your upper body excessively, it can strain your lower back, so please lift your upper body without raising your back.
  2. 2. If your neck hurts, support your head with your hands and relax your neck while proceeding.

If you want to know a detailed guide to Crunch, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Crunch Guide page of our blog!

Do you want to know more about Crunch methods?Exercise Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for Core, Barbell Thruster or Crunch?

Planfit users log Crunch more often — 29,245 sessions against 38 for Barbell Thruster. Both train Core, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.

Do Barbell Thruster and Crunch work the same muscles?

Not quite. Barbell Thruster loads front delts, quads, and triceps, and Crunch loads abs.

What equipment do Barbell Thruster and Crunch need?

Barbell Thruster needs a barbell, and Crunch needs bodyweight only.

Which is easier to start with?

Crunch is the easier place to start. Move to Barbell Thruster once your form holds up.

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