Captains Chair Leg Raise vs Russian Twist
Which one fits your Core workout plan?
Contents
Planfit users log Captains Chair Leg Raise more often — 9,849 sessions vs 2,172. Compare Core form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Compare the benefits of Captains Chair Leg Raise and Russian Twist and pick the one that fits your Core workout.
Captains Chair Leg Raise vs Russian Twist: 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 2,172 for Russian Twist.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Captains Chair Leg Raise and Russian Twist 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 Russian Twist Differ
| What differs | Captains Chair Leg Raise | Russian Twist |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 2,172 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 Russian Twist
Russian Twist Muscles Worked: Core
Form
- 1. Sit with your knees raised and slightly lean your upper body back.
- 2. Bring your hands together at your chest and twist your upper body as if your elbows are touching your thighs.
- 3. Repeat the movement while maintaining tension in your abdomen.
Coach's Tips
- 1. When twisting your body, keep your knees fixed and make sure your feet do not lift off the floor.
- 2. Rather than excessively twisting your lower back, use your abdominal muscles to rotate your upper body to the side. Be careful not to bend or arch your lower back.
For a full Russian Twist guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Russian Twist exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Core, Captains Chair Leg Raise or Russian Twist?
Planfit users log Captains Chair Leg Raise more often — 9,849 sessions against 2,172 for Russian Twist. 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 Russian Twist work the same muscles?
Not quite. Captains Chair Leg Raise loads abs and quads, and Russian Twist loads abs.
What equipment do Captains Chair Leg Raise and Russian Twist need?
Captains Chair Leg Raise needs a machine, and Russian Twist needs bodyweight only.
Which is easier to start with?
Captains Chair Leg Raise is the easier place to start. Move to Russian Twist once your form holds up.
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