Crunch vs Toes to Bar
Which one fits your Core workout plan?
Contents
Planfit users log Crunch more often — 29,245 sessions vs 129. Compare Core form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Compare the benefits of Crunch and Toes to Bar and pick the one that fits your Core workout.
Crunch vs Toes to Bar: 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 129 for Toes to Bar.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Crunch and Toes to Bar 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 Toes to Bar Differ
| What differs | Crunch | Toes to Bar |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | abs | abs, quads, and hamstrings |
| Equipment | bodyweight only | a pull-up bar |
| Difficulty | 1 of 5 | 5 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 29,245 sessions | 129 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 Toes to Bar
Toes to Bar Muscles Worked: Core
Form
- 1. Please lift your legs so that your toes can touch the bar.
- 2. When lowering, please do so slowly while engaging your core.
Coach's Tips
- 1. If your toes do not touch the bar, please raise them only as high as you can.
- 2. Since this is a very difficult exercise, please substitute it with hanging leg raises or leg raises if it's too hard.
For a full Toes to Bar guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Toes to Bar exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Core, Crunch or Toes to Bar?
Planfit users log Crunch more often — 29,245 sessions against 129 for Toes to Bar. Both train Core, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
Do Crunch and Toes to Bar work the same muscles?
Not quite. Crunch loads abs, and Toes to Bar loads abs, quads, and hamstrings.
What equipment do Crunch and Toes to Bar need?
Crunch needs bodyweight only, and Toes to Bar needs a pull-up bar.
Which is easier to start with?
Crunch is the easier place to start. Move to Toes to Bar once your form holds up.
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