Bicycle Crunch vs Side Leg Raise
Maximizing Your Core Workout Plan
Contents
Planfit users log Bicycle Crunch more often — 11,785 sessions vs 244. Compare Core form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Customize Your Core Workout: Explore the Benefits of Bicycle Crunch and Side Leg Raise for Better Comparison.
Planfit Users' Choice about Bicycle Crunch vs Side Leg Raise : Which is Better?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Bicycle Crunch more often — 11,785 sessions compared to 244 for Side Leg Raise.
Popularity is not the whole answer. Bicycle Crunch and Side Leg Raise differ in the muscles they load, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.
How Bicycle Crunch and Side Leg Raise Differ
| What differs | Bicycle Crunch | Side Leg Raise |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | abs and glutes | outer thighs and abs |
| One side at a time | No | Yes |
| Difficulty | 2 of 5 | 1 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 11,785 sessions | 244 sessions |
How to 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 Comment
- Maintain tension in your abdomen and be careful not to strain your neck.
If you want to know a detailed guide to Bicycle Crunch, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Bicycle Crunch Guide page of our blog!
How to Side Leg Raise
Side Leg Raise muscles worked: Core
Form
- 1. Slowly lift your foot away from the floor.
- 2. Slowly return to the starting position.
Coach's Comment
- If it's too difficult, try doing it lying on your side without lifting your body.
If you want to know a detailed guide to Side Leg Raise, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Side Leg Raise Guide page of our blog!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Core, Bicycle Crunch or Side Leg Raise?
Planfit users log Bicycle Crunch more often — 11,785 sessions against 244 for Side Leg Raise. Both train Core, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
Do Bicycle Crunch and Side Leg Raise work the same muscles?
Not quite. Bicycle Crunch loads abs and glutes, and Side Leg Raise loads outer thighs and abs.
What equipment do Bicycle Crunch and Side Leg Raise need?
Bicycle Crunch needs bodyweight only, and Side Leg Raise needs bodyweight only.
Which is easier to start with?
Side Leg Raise is the easier place to start. Move to Bicycle Crunch once your form holds up.
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