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Exercise Comparison

Ab Roller vs Cable Crunch

Ab Roller - starting position
Ab Roller - ending position
Ab Roller
intermediate·Other·compound
Cable Crunch - starting position
Cable Crunch - ending position
Cable Crunch
beginner·Cable·isolation

Side-by-Side

Ab Roller
VS
Cable Crunch
intermediate
Level
beginner
Other
Equipment
Cable
compound
Mechanic
isolation
pull
Force
pull
Strength
Category
Strength
abdominals
Primary
abdominals
shoulders
Secondary
None

Muscle Analysis

Shared

abdominals

Only in Ab Roller

shoulders

Instructions

Ab Roller

1

Hold the Ab Roller with both hands and kneel on the floor.

2

Now place the ab roller on the floor in front of you so that you are on all your hands and knees (as in a kneeling push up position). This will be your starting position.

3

Slowly roll the ab roller straight forward, stretching your body into a straight position. Tip: Go down as far as you can without touching the floor with your body. Breathe in during this portion of the movement.

4

After a pause at the stretched position, start pulling yourself back to the starting position as you breathe out. Tip: Go slowly and keep your abs tight at all times.

Cable Crunch

1

Kneel below a high pulley that contains a rope attachment.

2

Grasp cable rope attachment and lower the rope until your hands are placed next to your face.

3

Flex your hips slightly and allow the weight to hyperextend the lower back. This will be your starting position.

4

With the hips stationary, flex the waist as you contract the abs so that the elbows travel towards the middle of the thighs. Exhale as you perform this portion of the movement and hold the contraction for a second.

5

Slowly return to the starting position as you inhale. Tip: Make sure that you keep constant tension on the abs throughout the movement. Also, do not choose a weight so heavy that the lower back handles the brunt of the work.

6

Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

Verdict

Both exercises target the abdominals. Ab Roller is a intermediate exercise using other, while Cable Crunch is beginner and uses cable. Choose Cable Crunch if you're looking for a more accessible option, or Ab Roller for a greater challenge. Ab Roller is a compound movement working multiple joints, making it better for overall strength. Cable Crunch isolates the target muscle for focused development.

Pinpoint·Interactive 3D Anatomy & Exercise Guide