Mountain Climber vs Heel Touch Crunch
Which one fits your Core workout plan?
Contents
Planfit users log Heel Touch Crunch more often — 6,346 sessions vs 1,794. Compare Core form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Compare the benefits of Mountain Climber and Heel Touch Crunch and pick the one that fits your Core workout.
Mountain Climber vs Heel Touch Crunch: Which Do Planfit Users Choose?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Heel Touch Crunch more often — 6,346 sessions compared to 1,794 for Mountain Climber.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Mountain Climber and Heel Touch Crunch 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 Heel Touch Crunch Differ
| What differs | Mountain Climber | Heel Touch Crunch |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | abs, quads, and glutes | abs |
| Difficulty | 3 of 5 | 1 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 1,794 sessions | 6,346 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 Heel Touch Crunch
Heel Touch Crunch Muscles Worked: Core
Form
- 1. Lie down with your knees raised and lift your shoulders off the ground.
- 2. With your shoulders lifted, reach out with your hand towards one heel.
- 3. Return to the starting position and reach out with your hand towards the opposite heel.
Coach's Tips
- The upper part of your body should not touch the floor throughout the movement.
For a full Heel Touch Crunch guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Heel Touch Crunch exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Core, Mountain Climber or Heel Touch Crunch?
Planfit users log Heel Touch Crunch more often — 6,346 sessions against 1,794 for Mountain Climber. Both train Core, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
Do Mountain Climber and Heel Touch Crunch work the same muscles?
Not quite. Mountain Climber loads abs, quads, and glutes, and Heel Touch Crunch loads abs.
What equipment do Mountain Climber and Heel Touch Crunch need?
Mountain Climber needs bodyweight only, and Heel Touch Crunch needs bodyweight only.
Which is easier to start with?
Heel Touch Crunch is the easier place to start. Move to Mountain Climber once your form holds up.
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