Crunch vs Abdominal Machine
Which one fits your Core workout plan?
Contents
Planfit users log Crunch more often — 29,245 sessions vs 3,872. Compare Core form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Compare the benefits of Crunch and Abdominal Machine and pick the one that fits your Core workout.
Crunch vs Abdominal Machine: 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 3,872 for Abdominal Machine.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Crunch and Abdominal Machine 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 Abdominal Machine Differ
| What differs | Crunch | Abdominal Machine |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | bodyweight only | a machine |
| Difficulty | 1 of 5 | 1 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 29,245 sessions | 3,872 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 Abdominal Machine
Abdominal Machine Muscles Worked: Core
Form
- 1. Sit with your buttocks pressed against the edge of the chair, holding the armrests and opening your chest.
- 2. With your abdomen engaged, curl your upper body as if your knees are touching your chest.
- 3. Slowly return to the starting position while keeping your abdomen tense.
Coach's Tips
- When using the equipment, do not set the weight too high, and use your abdominal muscles to move.
For a full Abdominal Machine guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Abdominal Machine exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Core, Crunch or Abdominal Machine?
Planfit users log Crunch more often — 29,245 sessions against 3,872 for Abdominal Machine. Both train Core, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
What equipment do Crunch and Abdominal Machine need?
Crunch needs bodyweight only, and Abdominal Machine needs a machine.
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