Sit Up vs Plank Push Up
Which one fits your Core workout plan?
Contents
Planfit users log Sit Up more often — 3,693 sessions vs 311. Compare Core form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Compare the benefits of Sit Up and Plank Push Up and pick the one that fits your Core workout.
Sit Up vs Plank Push Up: Which Do Planfit Users Choose?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Sit Up more often — 3,693 sessions compared to 311 for Plank Push Up.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Sit Up and Plank Push Up differ in the muscles they work, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.
How Sit Up and Plank Push Up Differ
| What differs | Sit Up | Plank Push Up |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | abs | abs, chest, and triceps |
| Difficulty | 2 of 5 | 4 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 3,693 sessions | 311 sessions |
How to Do Sit Up
Sit Up Muscles Worked: Core
Form
- 1. Please lift your upper body so that you can sit up straight.
- 2. Slowly return to the starting position.
Coach's Tips
- 1. If you have pain in your lower back, avoid sit-ups and substitute with crunches.
- 2. When lifting your upper body, be careful not to overextend your lower back or pull your neck too much.
For a full Sit Up guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Sit Up exercise guide.
How to Do Plank Push Up
Plank Push Up Muscles Worked: Core
Form
- 1. Take the push-up starting position with your arms wider than your shoulders and your feet about hip-width apart.
- 2. Bend one arm and touch the floor with your elbow, then do the same with the opposite arm.
- 3. When lowering your arms, engage your core tightly and maintain a straight line from your head, through your back, to your legs.
- 4. Push up one arm at a time and return to the starting position.
Coach's Tips
- If your elbows touch the floor, you may experience pain, so I recommend placing a mat or something similar on the floor while exercising.
For a full Plank Push Up guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Plank Push Up exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Core, Sit Up or Plank Push Up?
Planfit users log Sit Up more often — 3,693 sessions against 311 for Plank Push Up. Both train Core, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
Do Sit Up and Plank Push Up work the same muscles?
Not quite. Sit Up loads abs, and Plank Push Up loads abs, chest, and triceps.
What equipment do Sit Up and Plank Push Up need?
Sit Up needs bodyweight only, and Plank Push Up needs bodyweight only.
Which is easier to start with?
Sit Up is the easier place to start. Move to Plank Push Up once your form holds up.
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