Crunch vs Kettlebell Swing
Which one fits your Core workout plan?
Contents
Planfit users log Crunch more often — 29,245 sessions vs 1,175. Compare Core form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Compare the benefits of Crunch and Kettlebell Swing and pick the one that fits your Core workout.
Crunch vs Kettlebell Swing: 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 1,175 for Kettlebell Swing.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Crunch and Kettlebell Swing 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 Kettlebell Swing Differ
| What differs | Crunch | Kettlebell Swing |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | abs | abs, front delts, and glutes |
| Equipment | bodyweight only | a kettlebell |
| Difficulty | 1 of 5 | 4 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 29,245 sessions | 1,175 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 Kettlebell Swing
Kettlebell Swing Muscles Worked: Core
Form
- 1. Hold the kettlebell with both hands and spread your feet wider than shoulder-width with your toes pointing outward.
- 2. Raise the kettlebell to shoulder height, then naturally push your hips back and bend your knees to bring the kettlebell between your legs.
- 3. Momentarily contract your hips while straightening your knees to raise the kettlebell back to shoulder height.
- 4. Keep your arms in a straight line and repeat the movement.
Coach's Tips
- The role of the hips and core is very important in exercise. Just by moving the hips back and forth while engaging the core, the movement can become more natural.
For a full Kettlebell Swing guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Kettlebell Swing exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Core, Crunch or Kettlebell Swing?
Planfit users log Crunch more often — 29,245 sessions against 1,175 for Kettlebell Swing. Both train Core, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
Do Crunch and Kettlebell Swing work the same muscles?
Not quite. Crunch loads abs, and Kettlebell Swing loads abs, front delts, and glutes.
What equipment do Crunch and Kettlebell Swing need?
Crunch needs bodyweight only, and Kettlebell Swing needs a kettlebell.
Which is easier to start with?
Crunch is the easier place to start. Move to Kettlebell Swing once your form holds up.
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