Crunch vs Cross Body Crunch
Which one fits your Core workout plan?
Contents
Planfit users log Crunch more often — 29,245 sessions vs 2,461. Compare Core form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Compare the benefits of Crunch and Cross Body Crunch and pick the one that fits your Core workout.
Crunch vs Cross Body 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 2,461 for Cross Body Crunch.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Crunch and Cross Body 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 Cross Body Crunch Differ
| What differs | Crunch | Cross Body Crunch |
|---|---|---|
| Difficulty | 1 of 5 | 2 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 29,245 sessions | 2,461 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 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Core, Crunch or Cross Body Crunch?
Planfit users log Crunch more often — 29,245 sessions against 2,461 for Cross Body Crunch. 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 Cross Body Crunch need?
Crunch needs bodyweight only, and Cross Body Crunch needs bodyweight only.
Which is easier to start with?
Crunch is the easier place to start. Move to Cross Body Crunch once your form holds up.
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