Captains Chair Leg Raise vs Kettlebell Swing
Which one fits your Core workout plan?
Contents
Planfit users log Captains Chair Leg Raise more often — 9,849 sessions vs 1,175. Compare Core form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Compare the benefits of Captains Chair Leg Raise and Kettlebell Swing and pick the one that fits your Core workout.
Captains Chair Leg Raise vs Kettlebell Swing: 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 1,175 for Kettlebell Swing.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Captains Chair Leg Raise and Kettlebell Swing 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 Kettlebell Swing Differ
| What differs | Captains Chair Leg Raise | Kettlebell Swing |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | abs and quads | abs, front delts, and glutes |
| Equipment | a machine | a kettlebell |
| Difficulty | 1 of 5 | 4 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 9,849 sessions | 1,175 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 Kettlebell Swing
Kettlebell Swing Muscles Worked: Core
Form
- 1. Hold the kettlebell with both hands and spread your feet wider than shoulder-width with your toes pointing outward.
- 2. Raise the kettlebell to shoulder height, then naturally push your hips back and bend your knees to bring the kettlebell between your legs.
- 3. Momentarily contract your hips while straightening your knees to raise the kettlebell back to shoulder height.
- 4. Keep your arms in a straight line and repeat the movement.
Coach's Tips
- The role of the hips and core is very important in exercise. Just by moving the hips back and forth while engaging the core, the movement can become more natural.
For a full Kettlebell Swing guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Kettlebell Swing exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Core, Captains Chair Leg Raise or Kettlebell Swing?
Planfit users log Captains Chair Leg Raise more often — 9,849 sessions against 1,175 for Kettlebell Swing. 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 Kettlebell Swing work the same muscles?
Not quite. Captains Chair Leg Raise loads abs and quads, and Kettlebell Swing loads abs, front delts, and glutes.
What equipment do Captains Chair Leg Raise and Kettlebell Swing need?
Captains Chair Leg Raise needs a machine, and Kettlebell Swing needs a kettlebell.
Which is easier to start with?
Captains Chair Leg Raise is the easier place to start. Move to Kettlebell Swing once your form holds up.
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