Criss Cross vs Cable Woodchopper
Maximizing Your Core Workout Plan
Contents
Criss Cross is the easier place to start — difficulty 2 of 5 vs 5. Compare Core form cues and when to progress.
Customize Your Core Workout: Explore the Benefits of Criss Cross and Cable Woodchopper for Better Comparison.
Planfit Users' Choice about Criss Cross vs Cable Woodchopper : Which is Better?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Criss Cross more often — 188 sessions compared to 184 for Cable Woodchopper.
Popularity is not the whole answer. Criss Cross and Cable Woodchopper differ in the muscles they load, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.
How Criss Cross and Cable Woodchopper Differ
| What differs | Criss Cross | Cable Woodchopper |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | abs, quads, and glutes | abs and quads |
| Equipment | bodyweight only | a machine |
| One side at a time | No | Yes |
| Difficulty | 2 of 5 | 5 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 188 sessions | 184 sessions |
How to Criss Cross
Criss Cross muscles worked: Core
Form
- 1. Lie on the floor and raise both legs towards the sky at a 60-degree angle while keeping them together.
- 2. Interlock your fingers behind your head and lift your head off the floor.
- 3. Keep your toes pointed and prepare by looking at your toes.
- 4. Bend your right elbow and think of it touching your left knee while bending your knee and folding your upper body.
- 5. Do the same on the opposite side.
Coach's Comment
- If it's difficult because it's a high-intensity exercise, please substitute it with another exercise.
If you want to know a detailed guide to Criss Cross, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Criss Cross Guide page of our blog!
How to Cable Woodchopper
Cable Woodchopper muscles worked: Core
Form
- 1. Pull diagonally downwards as if chopping a tree from top to bottom.
- 2. Rotate the pelvis and upper body together, and slowly return to the starting position.
Coach's Comment
- 1. Don't just twist your waist; rotate with your core and hips.
- 2. Proceed with a manageable weight that you can control without momentum.
If you want to know a detailed guide to Cable Woodchopper, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Cable Woodchopper Guide page of our blog!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Core, Criss Cross or Cable Woodchopper?
Neither is clearly ahead — Planfit users log both at a similar rate. They both train Core, so the choice comes down to the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
Do Criss Cross and Cable Woodchopper work the same muscles?
Not quite. Criss Cross loads abs, quads, and glutes, and Cable Woodchopper loads abs and quads.
What equipment do Criss Cross and Cable Woodchopper need?
Criss Cross needs bodyweight only, and Cable Woodchopper needs a machine.
Which is easier to start with?
Criss Cross is the easier place to start. Move to Cable Woodchopper once your form holds up.
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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.

