Captains Chair Leg Raise vs Side Leg Raise

Which one fits your Core workout plan?

Contents

Planfit users log Captains Chair Leg Raise more often — 9,849 sessions vs 244. Compare Core form, muscles worked, and when to use each.

Compare the benefits of Captains Chair Leg Raise and Side Leg Raise and pick the one that fits your Core workout.

Captains Chair Leg Raise vs Side Leg Raise: 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 244 for Side Leg Raise.

What most people do isn't always what fits you. Captains Chair Leg Raise and Side Leg Raise 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 Side Leg Raise Differ

What differsCaptains Chair Leg RaiseSide Leg Raise
Muscles workedabs and quadsouter thighs and abs
Equipmenta machinebodyweight only
One side at a timeNoYes
Difficulty1 of 51 of 5
Sessions logged by Planfit users9,849 sessions244 sessions

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Not sure whether Captains Chair Leg Raise or Side Leg Raise fits your goal? Get a personalized plan

How to Do Captains Chair Leg Raise

Captains Chair Leg Raise demo video

Captains Chair Leg Raise Muscles Worked: Core

Form

  1. 1. Keep your legs straight and lift them up to your waist.
  2. 2. Slowly return to the starting position.

Coach's Tips

  1. 1. Beginners, be careful not to excessively arch your lower back, and slowly lift your legs.
  2. 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.

Want to learn more about Captains Chair Leg Raise?Exercise Guide

How to Do Side Leg Raise

Side Leg Raise demo video

Side Leg Raise Muscles Worked: Core

Form

  1. 1. Slowly lift your foot away from the floor.
  2. 2. Slowly return to the starting position.

Coach's Tips

  1. If it's too difficult, try doing it lying on your side without lifting your body.

For a full Side Leg Raise guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Side Leg Raise exercise guide.

Want to learn more about Side Leg Raise?Exercise Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for Core, Captains Chair Leg Raise or Side Leg Raise?

Planfit users log Captains Chair Leg Raise more often — 9,849 sessions against 244 for Side Leg Raise. 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 Side Leg Raise work the same muscles?

Not quite. Captains Chair Leg Raise loads abs and quads, and Side Leg Raise loads outer thighs and abs.

What equipment do Captains Chair Leg Raise and Side Leg Raise need?

Captains Chair Leg Raise needs a machine, and Side Leg Raise needs bodyweight only.

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