Mountain Climbers: How-to, Tips & More
The Mountain Climbers is a beginner compound exercise for your abs. You do it with bodyweight. It is a good fit when your goal is general fitness.
Besides the abs, it also works your shoulders and hip flexors, so it fits well in a session that trains those muscles together.
Muscles worked
Abs
Primary
Shoulders
Secondary
Hip flexors
Secondary
How to do the Mountain Climbers
- Start in a high plank with your hands under your shoulders.
- Drive one knee toward your chest.
- Switch legs quickly, like running in place.
- Keep your hips level.
Mountain Climbers tips
- Count each leg as one rep.
Sets and reps
Most lifters do well with 20 to 40 reps per set, and 20 to 40 reps is where this exercise tends to work best. Use a weight that leaves one or two reps in reserve on every set, and add weight once you can complete all your sets at the top of the range. It also works well in a superset with an exercise for the opposite muscles.
Equipment
Bodyweight
Type
Compound
Mountain Climbers alternatives
More abs exercises
Ab Wheel Rollout
Ab wheel
Band Kneeling Crunch
Resistance band
Barbell Rollout
Barbell
Bird Dog
Bodyweight
Cable Crunch
Cable machine
Cobra Stretch
Bodyweight
Frequently asked questions
What muscles does the Mountain Climbers work?
The Mountain Climbers mainly works your abs, with help from your shoulders and hip flexors.
How many sets and reps should I do?
A good starting point is 20 to 40 reps per set, and many lifters get the best results between 20 to 40 reps. Use a weight that leaves one or two reps in reserve.
Is the Mountain Climbers good for beginners?
Yes. The Mountain Climbers is considered beginner and is a good choice if you are new to training. Start light and focus on form.
What equipment do I need for the Mountain Climbers?
You need bodyweight.
Add Mountain Climbers to your program
Bite fills in your weights, tracks your progress and tells you when to go heavier.
Coming soon