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Spider Crawl

Abdominals Chest Shoulders Triceps Beginner Strength Body Only
Spider Crawl Spider Crawl
Equipment
Body Only
Level
Beginner
Force
Pull
Mechanic
Compound
Instructions
  1. Begin in a prone position on the floor. Support your weight on your hands and toes, with your feet together and your body straight. Your arms should be bent to 90 degrees. This will be your starting position.
  2. Initiate the movement by raising one foot off of the ground. Externally rotate the leg and bring the knee toward your elbow, as far forward as possible.
  3. Return this leg to the starting position and repeat on the opposite side.
Frequently asked questions
What muscles does the Spider Crawl work?

Spider Crawl primarily targets the Abdominals. It also engages the Chest, Shoulders, Triceps as secondary muscles. This makes it an effective strength exercise for building abdominals development.

Do I need equipment for the Spider Crawl?

No. The Spider Crawl is a bodyweight exercise that requires no equipment. It can be performed anywhere with enough space.

Is the Spider Crawl suitable for beginners?

Yes. The Spider Crawl is a beginner-friendly exercise. Focus on proper form before adding weight or intensity. It's a great movement to include early in your training.

Is the Spider Crawl a compound or isolation exercise?

The Spider Crawl is a compound exercise, meaning it works multiple joints and muscle groups simultaneously. Compound movements are efficient for building overall strength and are typically performed earlier in a workout when you have the most energy.

How many sets and reps should I do for the Spider Crawl?

For strength, aim for 3-5 sets of 5-8 reps with heavier weight. For muscle building (hypertrophy), try 3-4 sets of 8-12 reps at a moderate weight. For endurance, use lighter weight and perform 2-3 sets of 15-20 reps.

What are good alternatives to the Spider Crawl?

Good alternatives include the 3/4 Sit-Up, Ab Crunch Machine, Ab Roller. These exercises target similar muscle groups (Abdominals) and can be substituted based on available equipment or training preference.

How to use Spider Crawl — How to, Muscles, Form

Best for: Building practical strength and adding focused work for Abdominals, Chest, Shoulders. Use it when the movement fits your goal, equipment, and recovery.

Programming tip: Start with a load you can control for every rep. Add reps before adding weight, and keep the last rep clean enough that you could repeat the movement next week.

Common mistake: Chasing heavier weight before the setup, range of motion, and tempo are consistent. If the rep changes every set, the log stops telling the truth.

Track it: Log weight, reps, sets, and one short note about form or difficulty. Over time, those notes explain plateaus better than motivation quotes ever will.

Track this exercise

Log sets, reps, and weight. See your progress over time.

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