Captains Chair Leg Raise vs Bicycle Crunch
Which one fits your Core workout plan?
Contents
Captains Chair Leg Raise is the easier place to start — difficulty 1 of 5 vs 2. Compare Core form cues and when to progress.
Compare the benefits of Captains Chair Leg Raise and Bicycle Crunch and pick the one that fits your Core workout.
Captains Chair Leg Raise vs Bicycle Crunch: 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 9,849 for Captains Chair Leg Raise.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Captains Chair Leg Raise and Bicycle Crunch differ in the muscles they work, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.
How Captains Chair Leg Raise and Bicycle Crunch Differ
| What differs | Captains Chair Leg Raise | Bicycle Crunch |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | abs and quads | abs and glutes |
| Equipment | a machine | bodyweight only |
| Difficulty | 1 of 5 | 2 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 9,849 sessions | 11,785 sessions |
How to Do Captains Chair Leg Raise
Captains Chair Leg Raise Muscles Worked: Core
Form
- 1. Keep your legs straight and lift them up to your waist.
- 2. Slowly return to the starting position.
Coach's Tips
- 1. Beginners, be careful not to excessively arch your lower back, and slowly lift your legs.
- 2. When lifting your legs, do not use momentum, and focus on lifting only with the strength of your lower abdominal muscles.
For a full Captains Chair Leg Raise guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Captains Chair Leg Raise exercise guide.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Core, Captains Chair Leg Raise or Bicycle Crunch?
Neither is clearly ahead — Planfit users log both at a similar rate. They both train Core, so the choice comes down to the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
Do Captains Chair Leg Raise and Bicycle Crunch work the same muscles?
Not quite. Captains Chair Leg Raise loads abs and quads, and Bicycle Crunch loads abs and glutes.
What equipment do Captains Chair Leg Raise and Bicycle Crunch need?
Captains Chair Leg Raise needs a machine, and Bicycle Crunch needs bodyweight only.
Which is easier to start with?
Captains Chair Leg Raise is the easier place to start. Move to Bicycle Crunch once your form holds up.
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