Mountain Climber
How to do it
Starting position
- Place your hands on the floor shoulder-width apart.
- Step both feet back to form a straight line with your body.
- Look at the floor between your hands.
- Brace your abs and keep your torso rigid.
Movement
- Pull your right knee toward your chest.
- Return your right foot to its starting position.
- Pull your left knee toward your chest.
- Quickly alternate your feet.
Breathing
Exhale as you pull your leg in and inhale as you return to the starting position.
Trainer tips
- Wrists under shoulders, hold a plank position
- Keep your hips steady so they do not rise
Cautions
- Excessive pressure on your wrists can cause pain, so push the floor away with your entire palm.
- If your lower back sags downward, it strains your spine, so keep your abs engaged.
- Raising the hips upward
- Swaying the upper body excessively side to side
If you feel pain during the exercise, stop. If it continues, talk to a professional.
Exercise info
| Primary muscles | |
|---|---|
| Secondary muscles | Obliques · Front delts · Quads |
| Equipment | |
| Movement pattern | Core |
| Recommended time | 20 sec–40 sec |
31 similar exercises
Representative exercise: Plank Knee Tap
- Plank Knee Tap
- Downward Dog Crunch
- Plank Knee Tap (Demo 2)
- Elevated Mountain Climber with Hands on a Bench
- Elevated Mountain Climber with Hands on a Chair
- Spider Plank
- Running Plank
- Spiderman Plank
- Downward Dog Sprint
- High Plank Knee Drop
- Down Dog Knee to Nose
- Spiderman Front Plank
- Front Plank to Toe Tap
- Cross Mountain Climber
- Spider Mountain Climber
- Bosu Ball Mountain Climber
- Mountain Climber over Bench
- Mountain Climber Against Wall
- Knee to Elbow Touch Front Plank
- Cross Mountain Climber against Wall
- Suspension Mountain Climber
- Medicine Ball Mountain Climber
- Mountain Climber on a Padded Stool
- Plank Alternating Knee Tuck
- Front Elbow Plank Toe Tap
- Mountain Climber (VERSION 2)
- Mountain Climber Slide with Towel
- Incline Mountain Climber on Step Box
- Front Plank on Elbow Toe Tap (Demo 2)
- Suspension Crunch
- Ring Mountain Climber
Related exercises
45 degrees Arms PlankHarderForearms Plank with Shoulder ProtractionHarderResistance Band Lying Leg RaiseSimilar exerciseAb Machine CrunchSimilar exerciseStability Ball RolloutSimilar exerciseDumbbell Crunch Hold with Legs OffSame muscle · different equipmentPlank with Feet ElevatedSame muscle · different equipmentBosu Ball Plank HoldSame muscle · different equipmentStick Assisted Isometric CoreSame muscle · different equipment
This information is based on our analysis of public content from evidence-based training experts in Korea and abroad. It is not a substitute for medical advice.
Weights and sets differ from person to person. The GYMKC app uses the sets you log to calculate the weight and reps for your next set.