Captains Chair Leg Raise vs Toes to Bar
Which one fits your Core workout plan?
Contents
Planfit users log Captains Chair Leg Raise more often — 9,849 sessions vs 129. Compare Core form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Compare the benefits of Captains Chair Leg Raise and Toes to Bar and pick the one that fits your Core workout.
Captains Chair Leg Raise vs Toes to Bar: 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 129 for Toes to Bar.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Captains Chair Leg Raise and Toes to Bar 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 Toes to Bar Differ
| What differs | Captains Chair Leg Raise | Toes to Bar |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | abs and quads | abs, quads, and hamstrings |
| Equipment | a machine | a pull-up bar |
| Difficulty | 1 of 5 | 5 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 9,849 sessions | 129 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 Toes to Bar
Toes to Bar Muscles Worked: Core
Form
- 1. Please lift your legs so that your toes can touch the bar.
- 2. When lowering, please do so slowly while engaging your core.
Coach's Tips
- 1. If your toes do not touch the bar, please raise them only as high as you can.
- 2. Since this is a very difficult exercise, please substitute it with hanging leg raises or leg raises if it's too hard.
For a full Toes to Bar guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Toes to Bar exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Core, Captains Chair Leg Raise or Toes to Bar?
Planfit users log Captains Chair Leg Raise more often — 9,849 sessions against 129 for Toes to Bar. 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 Toes to Bar work the same muscles?
Not quite. Captains Chair Leg Raise loads abs and quads, and Toes to Bar loads abs, quads, and hamstrings.
What equipment do Captains Chair Leg Raise and Toes to Bar need?
Captains Chair Leg Raise needs a machine, and Toes to Bar needs a pull-up bar.
Which is easier to start with?
Captains Chair Leg Raise is the easier place to start. Move to Toes to Bar once your form holds up.
Stop Guessing Which One to Do
AI picks your workouts based on your goals, body type, and experience.

