Captains Chair Leg Raise vs Cross Body Crunch
Which one fits your Core workout plan?
Contents
Planfit users log Captains Chair Leg Raise more often — 9,849 sessions vs 2,461. Compare Core form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Compare the benefits of Captains Chair Leg Raise and Cross Body Crunch and pick the one that fits your Core workout.
Captains Chair Leg Raise vs Cross Body Crunch: Which Do Planfit Users Choose?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Captains Chair Leg Raise more often — 9,849 sessions compared to 2,461 for Cross Body Crunch.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Captains Chair Leg Raise and Cross Body 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 Cross Body Crunch Differ
| What differs | Captains Chair Leg Raise | Cross Body Crunch |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | abs and quads | abs |
| Equipment | a machine | bodyweight only |
| Difficulty | 1 of 5 | 2 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 9,849 sessions | 2,461 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 Cross Body Crunch
Cross Body Crunch Muscles Worked: Core
Form
- 1. Lie down looking at the sky, bend your knees, and stretch your arms and fingertips to position them over your knees.
- 2. While engaging your abdominal muscles, lift your upper body and simultaneously poke your fingertips to the outside of your thighs.
- 3. Without releasing tension in your abdominal muscles, slowly return to the starting position.
- 4. As you lift your upper body, poke your fingertips to the outside of the opposite thigh as well.
Coach's Tips
- 1. When twisting your body, be careful not to pull your neck, and move slowly.
- 2. Use your abdominal muscles to keep your lower back from excessively lifting off the floor.
For a full Cross Body Crunch guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Cross Body Crunch exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Core, Captains Chair Leg Raise or Cross Body Crunch?
Planfit users log Captains Chair Leg Raise more often — 9,849 sessions against 2,461 for Cross Body Crunch. Both train Core, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
Do Captains Chair Leg Raise and Cross Body Crunch work the same muscles?
Not quite. Captains Chair Leg Raise loads abs and quads, and Cross Body Crunch loads abs.
What equipment do Captains Chair Leg Raise and Cross Body Crunch need?
Captains Chair Leg Raise needs a machine, and Cross Body Crunch needs bodyweight only.
Which is easier to start with?
Captains Chair Leg Raise is the easier place to start. Move to Cross Body Crunch once your form holds up.
Stop Guessing Which One to Do
AI picks your workouts based on your goals, body type, and experience.
