Crunch vs Side Plank
Which one fits your Core workout plan?
Contents
Planfit users log Crunch more often — 29,245 sessions vs 897. Compare Core form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Compare the benefits of Crunch and Side Plank and pick the one that fits your Core workout.
Crunch vs Side Plank: 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 897 for Side Plank.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Crunch and Side Plank 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 Side Plank Differ
| What differs | Crunch | Side Plank |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | abs | abs and front delts |
| One side at a time | No | Yes |
| Difficulty | 1 of 5 | 4 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 29,245 sessions | 897 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 Side Plank
Side Plank Muscles Worked: Core
Form
- 1. Lie on your side and position your elbow under your shoulder.
- 2. Keep your legs together and engage your core and glutes to create a straight line from your head to your legs when viewed from above.
- 3. Maintain tension in your core for the given time and repeat the same on the opposite side.
Coach's Tips
- 1. When doing a side plank, make sure your body forms a straight line from your head to your toes, so that your lower back does not sag and your hips do not drop.
- 2. If you feel pain in the front of your shoulder or in your lower back, try lowering the difficulty by placing your knees on the floor.
For a full Side Plank guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Side Plank exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Core, Crunch or Side Plank?
Planfit users log Crunch more often — 29,245 sessions against 897 for Side Plank. Both train Core, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
Do Crunch and Side Plank work the same muscles?
Not quite. Crunch loads abs, and Side Plank loads abs and front delts.
What equipment do Crunch and Side Plank need?
Crunch needs bodyweight only, and Side Plank needs bodyweight only.
Which is easier to start with?
Crunch is the easier place to start. Move to Side Plank once your form holds up.
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