Mountain Climber vs Seated Knee Up
Which one fits your Core workout plan?
Contents
Planfit users log Seated Knee Up more often — 9,913 sessions vs 1,794. Compare Core form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Compare the benefits of Mountain Climber and Seated Knee Up and pick the one that fits your Core workout.
Mountain Climber vs Seated Knee Up: Which Do Planfit Users Choose?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Seated Knee Up more often — 9,913 sessions compared to 1,794 for Mountain Climber.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Mountain Climber 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 Mountain Climber and Seated Knee Up Differ
| What differs | Mountain Climber | Seated Knee Up |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | abs, quads, and glutes | abs |
| Difficulty | 3 of 5 | 2 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 1,794 sessions | 9,913 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 Seated Knee Up
Seated Knee Up Muscles Worked: Core
Form
- 1. Lift your lower body so that your knees and chest come closer together.
- 2. Allow your upper body to naturally lean forward so that your core can contract.
- 3. Slowly return to the starting position.
Coach's Tips
- 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Core, Mountain Climber or Seated Knee Up?
Planfit users log Seated Knee Up more often — 9,913 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 Seated Knee Up work the same muscles?
Not quite. Mountain Climber loads abs, quads, and glutes, and Seated Knee Up loads abs.
What equipment do Mountain Climber and Seated Knee Up need?
Mountain Climber needs bodyweight only, and Seated Knee Up needs bodyweight only.
Which is easier to start with?
Seated Knee Up is the easier place to start. Move to Mountain Climber once your form holds up.
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