Side Plank vs Crunch
Maximizing 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.
Customize Your Core Workout: Explore the Benefits of Side Plank and Crunch for Better Comparison.
Planfit Users' Choice about Side Plank vs Crunch : Which is Better?
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.
Popularity is not the whole answer. Side Plank and Crunch differ in the muscles they load, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.
How Side Plank and Crunch Differ
| What differs | Side Plank | Crunch |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | abs and front delts | abs |
| One side at a time | Yes | No |
| Difficulty | 4 of 5 | 1 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 897 sessions | 29,245 sessions |
How to 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 Comment
- When doing a side plank, keep your body in a straight line to avoid bending your waist.
If you want to know a detailed guide to Side Plank, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Side Plank Guide page of our blog!
How to 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 Comment
- 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.
If you want to know a detailed guide to Crunch, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Crunch Guide page of our blog!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Core, Side Plank or Crunch?
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 Side Plank and Crunch work the same muscles?
Not quite. Side Plank loads abs and front delts, and Crunch loads abs.
What equipment do Side Plank and Crunch need?
Side Plank needs bodyweight only, and Crunch 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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