Bicycle Crunch vs Full Plank
Which one fits your Core workout plan?
Contents
Planfit users log Bicycle Crunch more often — 11,785 sessions vs 341. Compare Core form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Compare the benefits of Bicycle Crunch and Full Plank and pick the one that fits your Core workout.
Bicycle Crunch vs Full Plank: 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 341 for Full Plank.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Bicycle Crunch 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 Bicycle Crunch and Full Plank Differ
| What differs | Bicycle Crunch | Full Plank |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | abs and glutes | abs, chest, and glutes |
| Difficulty | 2 of 5 | 3 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 11,785 sessions | 341 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 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, Bicycle Crunch or Full Plank?
Planfit users log Bicycle Crunch more often — 11,785 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 Bicycle Crunch and Full Plank work the same muscles?
Not quite. Bicycle Crunch loads abs and glutes, and Full Plank loads abs, chest, and glutes.
What equipment do Bicycle Crunch and Full Plank need?
Bicycle Crunch needs bodyweight only, and Full Plank needs bodyweight only.
Which is easier to start with?
Bicycle Crunch is the easier place to start. Move to Full Plank once your form holds up.
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