Cross Body Crunch vs Cable Woodchopper
Which one fits your Core workout plan?
Contents
Planfit users log Cross Body Crunch more often — 2,461 sessions vs 184. Compare Core form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Compare the benefits of Cross Body Crunch and Cable Woodchopper and pick the one that fits your Core workout.
Cross Body Crunch vs Cable Woodchopper: Which Do Planfit Users Choose?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Cross Body Crunch more often — 2,461 sessions compared to 184 for Cable Woodchopper.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Cross Body Crunch and Cable Woodchopper differ in the muscles they work, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.
How Cross Body Crunch and Cable Woodchopper Differ
| What differs | Cross Body Crunch | Cable Woodchopper |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | abs | 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 | 2,461 sessions | 184 sessions |
How to Do Cross Body Crunch
Cross Body Crunch Muscles Worked: Core
Form
- 1. Lie down looking at the sky, bend your knees, and stretch your arms and fingertips to position them over your knees.
- 2. While engaging your abdominal muscles, lift your upper body and simultaneously poke your fingertips to the outside of your thighs.
- 3. Without releasing tension in your abdominal muscles, slowly return to the starting position.
- 4. As you lift your upper body, poke your fingertips to the outside of the opposite thigh as well.
Coach's Tips
- 1. When twisting your body, be careful not to pull your neck, and move slowly.
- 2. Use your abdominal muscles to keep your lower back from excessively lifting off the floor.
For a full Cross Body Crunch guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Cross Body Crunch exercise guide.
How to Do 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 Tips
- 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.
For a full Cable Woodchopper guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Cable Woodchopper exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Core, Cross Body Crunch or Cable Woodchopper?
Planfit users log Cross Body Crunch more often — 2,461 sessions against 184 for Cable Woodchopper. Both train Core, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
Do Cross Body Crunch and Cable Woodchopper work the same muscles?
Not quite. Cross Body Crunch loads abs, and Cable Woodchopper loads abs and quads.
What equipment do Cross Body Crunch and Cable Woodchopper need?
Cross Body Crunch needs bodyweight only, and Cable Woodchopper needs a machine.
Which is easier to start with?
Cross Body Crunch is the easier place to start. Move to Cable Woodchopper once your form holds up.
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