Ab-wheel rollout
Core
Bodyweight
Exercises by muscle
Core exercises
Choose between moving the trunk and holding it steady against a load. Compare crunches, planks and cable movements according to the job you want the exercise to do.
The map shows the rectus abdominis and external obliques. Deeper abdominal muscles are not visible on this surface view.
Meet the core
The abdominal muscles help move the trunk and resist movement. Crunches bend the trunk; planks hold a position; a Pallof press resists a sideways pull. Leg raises also involve hip flexors, so the exercise name alone does not identify an abdominal-only movement.
Choose your starting point
Move the trunk
Compare a floor movement with external cable resistance.
Hold a position
A front and side plank change the direction you support the body.
Choose movement or resistance to rotation
These cable exercises have different intentions.
How to choose
Preserve the trunk task
Replacing a crunch with a plank changes trunk movement into a hold. That can be useful, but choose it deliberately rather than expecting identical work.
Progress without changing the position
For holds, compare time at the same body position. For loaded movements, keep the cable setting and range repeatable before increasing resistance.
Explore the exercises
Guides: 23
Bicycle crunches
Core
Bodyweight
Cable crunch
Core
Cable
Cable wood chop
Core
Cable
Crunch
Core
Bodyweight
Dead bug
Core
Bodyweight
Sit ups
Core
BodyweightVariations
Front plank
Core
Bodyweight
GHD sit-up
Core · Hip flexors
Machine
Hanging leg raise
Core · Hip flexors
BodyweightVariations
Lying leg raise
Core · Hip flexors
Bodyweight
Machine crunch
Core
Machine
Mountain climbers
Core
Bodyweight
Pallof press
Core
CableMachine
Reverse crunch
Core
Bodyweight
Russian twist
Core
Bodyweight
Side plank
Core
Bodyweight
Standing cable crunch
Core
Cable
Suitcase carry
Forearms · Core
Dumbbells
Suspension fallout
Core
BodyweightSuspension trainer
Toes-to-bar
Core · Hip flexors
Bodyweight
Keep exploring
How many sets per muscle group per week should you do?
Most people should train each muscle with 10 to 20 hard sets a week. The number is the easy part. Counting your sets honestly is where it usually goes wrong.
The complete guide to progressive overload
Master the fundamental principle behind muscle growth and strength gains with our comprehensive guide for anyone who wants real results.
Frequently asked questions
Are planks and crunches interchangeable?
They both train abdominal muscles, but planks hold a position while crunches move the trunk. Choose according to the action your workout needs.
Are leg raises only an ab exercise?
No. Hip flexors raise the thighs, while abdominal work depends on the pelvic and trunk action. Open the individual guide to see the movement being described.