Crunch vs Plank Push Up
Which one fits your Core workout plan?
Contents
Planfit users log Crunch more often — 29,245 sessions vs 311. Compare Core form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Compare the benefits of Crunch and Plank Push Up and pick the one that fits your Core workout.
Crunch vs Plank Push Up: 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 311 for Plank Push Up.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Crunch and Plank Push Up 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 Plank Push Up Differ
| What differs | Crunch | Plank Push Up |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | abs | abs, chest, and triceps |
| Difficulty | 1 of 5 | 4 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 29,245 sessions | 311 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 Plank Push Up
Plank Push Up Muscles Worked: Core
Form
- 1. Take the push-up starting position with your arms wider than your shoulders and your feet about hip-width apart.
- 2. Bend one arm and touch the floor with your elbow, then do the same with the opposite arm.
- 3. When lowering your arms, engage your core tightly and maintain a straight line from your head, through your back, to your legs.
- 4. Push up one arm at a time and return to the starting position.
Coach's Tips
- If your elbows touch the floor, you may experience pain, so I recommend placing a mat or something similar on the floor while exercising.
For a full Plank Push Up guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Plank Push Up exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Core, Crunch or Plank Push Up?
Planfit users log Crunch more often — 29,245 sessions against 311 for Plank Push Up. Both train Core, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
Do Crunch and Plank Push Up work the same muscles?
Not quite. Crunch loads abs, and Plank Push Up loads abs, chest, and triceps.
What equipment do Crunch and Plank Push Up need?
Crunch needs bodyweight only, and Plank Push Up needs bodyweight only.
Which is easier to start with?
Crunch is the easier place to start. Move to Plank Push Up once your form holds up.
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