Crunch vs Mountain Climber
Which one fits your Core workout plan?
Contents
Planfit users log Crunch more often — 29,245 sessions vs 1,794. Compare Core form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Compare the benefits of Crunch and Mountain Climber and pick the one that fits your Core workout.
Crunch vs Mountain Climber: 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 1,794 for Mountain Climber.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Crunch and Mountain Climber 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 Mountain Climber Differ
| What differs | Crunch | Mountain Climber |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | abs | abs, quads, and glutes |
| Difficulty | 1 of 5 | 3 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 29,245 sessions | 1,794 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 Mountain Climber
Mountain Climber Muscles Worked: Core
Form
- 1. Spread your arms shoulder-width apart and lie face down, lightly engaging your core to create a straight line with your body.
- 2. While keeping one foot off the ground, pull your knee towards your chest.
- 3. As you return the lifted foot to its original position, lift the opposite foot and pull its knee towards your chest, repeating the process.
Coach's Tips
- This exercise is done quickly to achieve the effects of aerobic exercise rather than slowly feeling the stimulation. Try to perform it at a slightly faster tempo than other exercises.
For a full Mountain Climber guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Mountain Climber exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Core, Crunch or Mountain Climber?
Planfit users log Crunch more often — 29,245 sessions against 1,794 for Mountain Climber. Both train Core, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
Do Crunch and Mountain Climber work the same muscles?
Not quite. Crunch loads abs, and Mountain Climber loads abs, quads, and glutes.
What equipment do Crunch and Mountain Climber need?
Crunch needs bodyweight only, and Mountain Climber needs bodyweight only.
Which is easier to start with?
Crunch is the easier place to start. Move to Mountain Climber once your form holds up.
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