Crunch vs Bicycle Crunch
Which one fits your Core workout plan?
Contents
Planfit users log Crunch more often — 29,245 sessions vs 11,785. Compare Core form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Compare the benefits of Crunch and Bicycle Crunch and pick the one that fits your Core workout.
Crunch vs Bicycle Crunch: 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 11,785 for Bicycle Crunch.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Crunch and Bicycle Crunch 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 Bicycle Crunch Differ
| What differs | Crunch | Bicycle Crunch |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | abs | abs and glutes |
| Difficulty | 1 of 5 | 2 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 29,245 sessions | 11,785 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 Bicycle Crunch
Bicycle Crunch Muscles Worked: Core
Form
- 1. Lift your upper body so that one elbow touches the opposite knee.
- 2. Slowly return to the starting position.
- 3. Lift your upper body so that the opposite elbow touches the other knee.
- 4. Slowly return to the starting position.
Coach's Tips
- Maintain tension in your abdomen and be careful not to strain your neck.
For a full Bicycle Crunch guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Bicycle Crunch exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Core, Crunch or Bicycle Crunch?
Planfit users log Crunch more often — 29,245 sessions against 11,785 for Bicycle Crunch. Both train Core, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
Do Crunch and Bicycle Crunch work the same muscles?
Not quite. Crunch loads abs, and Bicycle Crunch loads abs and glutes.
What equipment do Crunch and Bicycle Crunch need?
Crunch needs bodyweight only, and Bicycle Crunch needs bodyweight only.
Which is easier to start with?
Crunch is the easier place to start. Move to Bicycle Crunch once your form holds up.
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