Crunch vs Seated Knee Up

Which one fits your Core workout plan?

Contents

Planfit users log Crunch more often — 29,245 sessions vs 9,913. Compare Core form, muscles worked, and when to use each.

Compare the benefits of Crunch and Seated Knee Up and pick the one that fits your Core workout.

Crunch vs Seated Knee 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 9,913 for Seated Knee Up.

What most people do isn't always what fits you. Crunch and Seated Knee 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 Seated Knee Up Differ

What differsCrunchSeated Knee Up
Difficulty1 of 52 of 5
Sessions logged by Planfit users29,245 sessions9,913 sessions

Related comparisons

Not sure whether Crunch or Seated Knee Up fits your goal? Get a personalized plan

How to Do Crunch

Crunch demo video

Crunch Muscles Worked: Core

Form

  1. 1. Please lift your upper body while keeping your back straight.
  2. 2. Slowly return to the starting position.

Coach's Tips

  1. 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. 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.

Want to learn more about Crunch?Exercise Guide

How to Do Seated Knee Up

Seated Knee Up demo video

Seated Knee Up Muscles Worked: Core

Form

  1. 1. Lift your lower body so that your knees and chest come closer together.
  2. 2. Allow your upper body to naturally lean forward so that your core can contract.
  3. 3. Slowly return to the starting position.

Coach's Tips

  1. If it's too difficult, try proceeding with your knees bent.

For a full Seated Knee Up guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Seated Knee Up exercise guide.

Want to learn more about Seated Knee Up?Exercise Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for Core, Crunch or Seated Knee Up?

Planfit users log Crunch more often — 29,245 sessions against 9,913 for Seated Knee Up. 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 Seated Knee Up need?

Crunch needs bodyweight only, and Seated Knee Up needs bodyweight only.

Which is easier to start with?

Crunch is the easier place to start. Move to Seated Knee Up once your form holds up.

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