Abs & core
Cross Mountain Climbers
Mountain climbers where each knee drives across toward the opposite elbow. The cross body angle brings your obliques into it, on top of the cardio.
- Works
- Core, obliques, hip flexors, shoulders
- Equipment
- A mat
- Load
- Bodyweight
How to do it
- 1Start in a high plank, hands under your shoulders, body in one straight line.
- 2Drive your right knee across your body toward your left elbow.
- 3Bring it back and drive your left knee across toward your right elbow.
- 4Keep switching at a steady, quick pace, landing on the balls of your feet.
Cues
- Knee aims for the opposite elbow.
- Shoulders stay over your hands.
- Keep your hips low, in line with your shoulders.
Common mistakes
- Hips bouncing up. Keep your hips level with your shoulders and let your knees do the moving.
- Knee going straight in instead of across. Aim for the opposite elbow. The twist is what makes this version different.
- Shoulders drifting back behind your hands. Keep your weight forward, shoulders right over your wrists.
Easier
Step each knee across slowly instead of running it, or put your hands on a bench.
Harder
Pick up the pace while keeping your hips still, or pause with your knee at your elbow for 1 second.
Try it: 3 rounds of 30 seconds on and 15 seconds off.
What is the difference between mountain climbers and cross mountain climbers?
Regular mountain climbers drive each knee straight in toward your chest. Cross mountain climbers drive the knee across toward the opposite elbow, which adds a twist and works your obliques more. Both are cardio with a lot of core.
