Cable Crunch vs Side Plank
Which one fits your Core workout plan?
Contents
Planfit users log Cable Crunch more often — 2,520 sessions vs 897. Compare Core form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Compare the benefits of Cable Crunch and Side Plank and pick the one that fits your Core workout.
Cable Crunch vs Side Plank: Which Do Planfit Users Choose?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Cable Crunch more often — 2,520 sessions compared to 897 for Side Plank.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Cable Crunch and Side Plank differ in the muscles they work, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.
How Cable Crunch and Side Plank Differ
| What differs | Cable Crunch | Side Plank |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | abs | abs and front delts |
| Equipment | a machine | bodyweight only |
| One side at a time | No | Yes |
| Difficulty | 3 of 5 | 4 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 2,520 sessions | 897 sessions |
How to Do Cable Crunch
Cable Crunch Muscles Worked: Core
Form
- 1. Please bend your upper body so that your abdominal muscles can contract.
- 2. Imagine that your elbows are touching your thighs.
- 3. Slowly return to the starting position.
Coach's Tips
- If you choose a weight that is too heavy, it will be difficult to control the exercise, so please select an appropriate weight.
For a full Cable Crunch guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Cable Crunch exercise guide.
How to Do Side Plank
Side Plank Muscles Worked: Core
Form
- 1. Lie on your side and position your elbow under your shoulder.
- 2. Keep your legs together and engage your core and glutes to create a straight line from your head to your legs when viewed from above.
- 3. Maintain tension in your core for the given time and repeat the same on the opposite side.
Coach's Tips
- 1. When doing a side plank, make sure your body forms a straight line from your head to your toes, so that your lower back does not sag and your hips do not drop.
- 2. If you feel pain in the front of your shoulder or in your lower back, try lowering the difficulty by placing your knees on the floor.
For a full Side Plank guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Side Plank exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Core, Cable Crunch or Side Plank?
Planfit users log Cable Crunch more often — 2,520 sessions against 897 for Side Plank. Both train Core, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
Do Cable Crunch and Side Plank work the same muscles?
Not quite. Cable Crunch loads abs, and Side Plank loads abs and front delts.
What equipment do Cable Crunch and Side Plank need?
Cable Crunch needs a machine, and Side Plank needs bodyweight only.
Which is easier to start with?
Cable Crunch is the easier place to start. Move to Side Plank once your form holds up.
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