Cross Body Crunch vs Full Plank
Which one fits your Core workout plan?
Contents
Planfit users log Cross Body Crunch more often — 2,461 sessions vs 341. Compare Core form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Compare the benefits of Cross Body Crunch and Full Plank and pick the one that fits your Core workout.
Cross Body Crunch vs Full Plank: 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 341 for Full Plank.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Cross Body Crunch and Full Plank 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 Full Plank Differ
| What differs | Cross Body Crunch | Full Plank |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | abs | abs, chest, and glutes |
| Difficulty | 2 of 5 | 3 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 2,461 sessions | 341 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 Full Plank
Full Plank Muscles Worked: Core
Form
- 1. Extend your elbows and maintain a position where your shoulders and arms are vertical, keeping your feet narrower than shoulder-width apart.
- 2. Imagine there is a long stick behind your back and align your head, waist, hips, and legs in a straight line.
- 3. Raise your toes, engage your core and glutes, and hold the position.
Coach's Tips
- Keep your body in a straight line and be careful not to let your back sag.
For a full Full Plank guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Full Plank exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Core, Cross Body Crunch or Full Plank?
Planfit users log Cross Body Crunch more often — 2,461 sessions against 341 for Full Plank. 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 Full Plank work the same muscles?
Not quite. Cross Body Crunch loads abs, and Full Plank loads abs, chest, and glutes.
What equipment do Cross Body Crunch and Full Plank need?
Cross Body Crunch needs bodyweight only, and Full Plank needs bodyweight only.
Which is easier to start with?
Cross Body Crunch is the easier place to start. Move to Full Plank once your form holds up.
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