Side Plank vs Heel Touch Crunch
Which one fits your Core workout plan?
Contents
Planfit users log Heel Touch Crunch more often — 6,346 sessions vs 897. Compare Core form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Compare the benefits of Side Plank and Heel Touch Crunch and pick the one that fits your Core workout.
Side Plank 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 897 for Side Plank.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Side Plank 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 Side Plank and Heel Touch Crunch Differ
| What differs | Side Plank | Heel Touch 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 | 6,346 sessions |
How to Do 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 Tips
- 1. When doing a side plank, make sure your body forms a straight line from your head to your toes, so that your lower back does not sag and your hips do not drop.
- 2. If you feel pain in the front of your shoulder or in your lower back, try lowering the difficulty by placing your knees on the floor.
For a full Side Plank guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Side Plank 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, Side Plank or Heel Touch Crunch?
Planfit users log Heel Touch Crunch more often — 6,346 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 Heel Touch Crunch work the same muscles?
Not quite. Side Plank loads abs and front delts, and Heel Touch Crunch loads abs.
What equipment do Side Plank and Heel Touch Crunch need?
Side Plank 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 Side Plank once your form holds up.
Stop Guessing Which One to Do
AI picks your workouts based on your goals, body type, and experience.
