Captains Chair Leg Raise vs Side Plank
Maximizing Your Core Workout Plan
Contents
Planfit users log Captains Chair Leg Raise more often — 9,849 sessions vs 897. Compare Core form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Customize Your Core Workout: Explore the Benefits of Captains Chair Leg Raise and Side Plank for Better Comparison.
Planfit Users' Choice about Captains Chair Leg Raise vs Side Plank : Which is Better?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Captains Chair Leg Raise more often — 9,849 sessions compared to 897 for Side Plank.
Popularity is not the whole answer. Captains Chair Leg Raise and Side Plank differ in the muscles they load, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.
How Captains Chair Leg Raise and Side Plank Differ
| What differs | Captains Chair Leg Raise | Side Plank |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | abs and quads | abs and front delts |
| Equipment | a machine | bodyweight only |
| One side at a time | No | Yes |
| Difficulty | 1 of 5 | 4 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 9,849 sessions | 897 sessions |
How to 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 Comment
- 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.
If you want to know a detailed guide to Captains Chair Leg Raise, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Captains Chair Leg Raise Guide page of our blog!
How to Side Plank
Side Plank muscles worked: Core
Form
- 1. Lie on your side and position your elbow under your shoulder.
- 2. Keep your legs together and engage your core and glutes to create a straight line from your head to your legs when viewed from above.
- 3. Maintain tension in your core for the given time and repeat the same on the opposite side.
Coach's Comment
- 1. When doing a side plank, make sure your body forms a straight line from your head to your toes, so that your lower back does not sag and your hips do not drop.
- 2. If you feel pain in the front of your shoulder or in your lower back, try lowering the difficulty by placing your knees on the floor.
If you want to know a detailed guide to Side Plank, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Side Plank Guide page of our blog!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Core, Captains Chair Leg Raise or Side Plank?
Planfit users log Captains Chair Leg Raise more often — 9,849 sessions against 897 for Side Plank. 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 Plank work the same muscles?
Not quite. Captains Chair Leg Raise loads abs and quads, and Side Plank loads abs and front delts.
What equipment do Captains Chair Leg Raise and Side Plank need?
Captains Chair Leg Raise needs a machine, and Side Plank needs bodyweight only.
Which is easier to start with?
Captains Chair Leg Raise is the easier place to start. Move to Side Plank once your form holds up.
Get free AI personalized workout plan
Choosing exercises that align with your goals and body type is as important as consistency in your workout regime. Its about smart training that targets your specific fitness aspirations.
It's a straightforward way to customize a workout plan to meet your unique needs and objectives, ensuring every effort contributes to your fitness journey.

