Crunch vs AB Wheel
Which one fits your Core workout plan?
Contents
Planfit users log Crunch more often — 29,245 sessions vs 2,441. Compare Core form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Compare the benefits of Crunch and AB Wheel and pick the one that fits your Core workout.
Crunch vs AB Wheel: Which Do Planfit Users Choose?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Crunch more often — 29,245 sessions compared to 2,441 for AB Wheel.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Crunch and AB Wheel differ in the muscles they work, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.
How Crunch and AB Wheel Differ
| What differs | Crunch | AB Wheel |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | abs | abs and back |
| Equipment | bodyweight only | a machine |
| Difficulty | 1 of 5 | 5 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 29,245 sessions | 2,441 sessions |
How to Do Crunch
Crunch Muscles Worked: Core
Form
- 1. Please lift your upper body while keeping your back straight.
- 2. Slowly return to the starting position.
Coach's Tips
- 1. If you lift your upper body excessively, it can strain your lower back, so please lift your upper body without raising your back.
- 2. If your neck hurts, support your head with your hands and relax your neck while proceeding.
For a full Crunch guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Crunch exercise guide.
How to Do AB Wheel
AB Wheel Muscles Worked: Core
Form
- 1. Push the app wheel forward while engaging your core.
- 2. Slowly return to the starting position.
Coach's Tips
- 1. When pushing the ab wheel, engage your abs so that your lower back does not bend, and be careful not to strain your lower back.
- 2. Since fully extending your body is very difficult, at first, roll out only a short distance that does not cause lower back pain to adjust the difficulty.
For a full AB Wheel guide with alternatives and benefits, see the AB Wheel exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Core, Crunch or AB Wheel?
Planfit users log Crunch more often — 29,245 sessions against 2,441 for AB Wheel. Both train Core, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
Do Crunch and AB Wheel work the same muscles?
Not quite. Crunch loads abs, and AB Wheel loads abs and back.
What equipment do Crunch and AB Wheel need?
Crunch needs bodyweight only, and AB Wheel needs a machine.
Which is easier to start with?
Crunch is the easier place to start. Move to AB Wheel once your form holds up.
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