Mountain Climber vs Full Plank
Which one fits your Core workout plan?
Contents
Planfit users log Mountain Climber more often — 1,794 sessions vs 341. Compare Core form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Compare the benefits of Mountain Climber and Full Plank and pick the one that fits your Core workout.
Mountain Climber vs Full Plank: Which Do Planfit Users Choose?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Mountain Climber more often — 1,794 sessions compared to 341 for Full Plank.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Mountain Climber and Full Plank differ in the muscles they work, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.
How Mountain Climber and Full Plank Differ
| What differs | Mountain Climber | Full Plank |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | abs, quads, and glutes | abs, chest, and glutes |
| Difficulty | 3 of 5 | 3 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 1,794 sessions | 341 sessions |
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.
How to Do Full Plank
Full Plank Muscles Worked: Core
Form
- 1. Extend your elbows and maintain a position where your shoulders and arms are vertical, keeping your feet narrower than shoulder-width apart.
- 2. Imagine there is a long stick behind your back and align your head, waist, hips, and legs in a straight line.
- 3. Raise your toes, engage your core and glutes, and hold the position.
Coach's Tips
- Keep your body in a straight line and be careful not to let your back sag.
For a full Full Plank guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Full Plank exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Core, Mountain Climber or Full Plank?
Planfit users log Mountain Climber more often — 1,794 sessions against 341 for Full Plank. Both train Core, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
Do Mountain Climber and Full Plank work the same muscles?
Not quite. Mountain Climber loads abs, quads, and glutes, and Full Plank loads abs, chest, and glutes.
What equipment do Mountain Climber and Full Plank need?
Mountain Climber needs bodyweight only, and Full Plank needs bodyweight only.
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