Bicycle Crunch vs Cable Woodchopper
Which one fits your Core workout plan?
Contents
Planfit users log Bicycle Crunch more often — 11,785 sessions vs 184. Compare Core form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Compare the benefits of Bicycle Crunch and Cable Woodchopper and pick the one that fits your Core workout.
Bicycle Crunch vs Cable Woodchopper: Which Do Planfit Users Choose?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Bicycle Crunch more often — 11,785 sessions compared to 184 for Cable Woodchopper.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Bicycle Crunch 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 Bicycle Crunch and Cable Woodchopper Differ
| What differs | Bicycle Crunch | Cable Woodchopper |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | abs and glutes | abs and quads |
| Equipment | bodyweight only | a machine |
| One side at a time | No | Yes |
| Difficulty | 2 of 5 | 5 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 11,785 sessions | 184 sessions |
How to Do Bicycle Crunch
Bicycle Crunch Muscles Worked: Core
Form
- 1. Lift your upper body so that one elbow touches the opposite knee.
- 2. Slowly return to the starting position.
- 3. Lift your upper body so that the opposite elbow touches the other knee.
- 4. Slowly return to the starting position.
Coach's Tips
- Maintain tension in your abdomen and be careful not to strain your neck.
For a full Bicycle Crunch guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Bicycle Crunch 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, Bicycle Crunch or Cable Woodchopper?
Planfit users log Bicycle Crunch more often — 11,785 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 Bicycle Crunch and Cable Woodchopper work the same muscles?
Not quite. Bicycle Crunch loads abs and glutes, and Cable Woodchopper loads abs and quads.
What equipment do Bicycle Crunch and Cable Woodchopper need?
Bicycle Crunch needs bodyweight only, and Cable Woodchopper needs a machine.
Which is easier to start with?
Bicycle Crunch is the easier place to start. Move to Cable Woodchopper once your form holds up.
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