10 Best Sledge Hammer Alternatives for Rotational Core Strength

The Sledge Hammer is done standing. Ranked closest by our scoring: the Crab Twist Toe Touch, the Gorilla Chin and the Russian Twist.

Updated Ranked by our 12-factor similarity model How it works

Original Exercise: Sledge Hammer

Sledge HammerPlay demonstration
Primary muscle
Abs
Equipment
Other
Difficulty
Advanced
Type
Compound

Secondary muscles: Forearms, Shoulders

How to perform Sledge Hammer
  1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and hold the sledge hammer with both hands.
  2. Engage your core and keep your back straight.
  3. Swing the sledge hammer down towards the ground, using your core and upper body strength.
  4. As you swing down, pivot your hips and transfer the force to the hammer.
  5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
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Ranked Sledge Hammer Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Sledge Hammer on movement pattern, muscles worked, equipment and body position. The higher the score, the less you change. Open "How to perform this exercise" on a card for the steps; every card title links to that exercise's own alternatives page.

  1. Best match
    Crab Twist Toe TouchPlay demonstration

    1. Crab Twist Toe Touch

    71% match
    • Abs
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound

    Pick this when you want an easier version that still works the abs.

    How to perform this exercise
    1. Start by sitting on the ground with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor.
    2. Place your hands behind you, fingers pointing towards your feet, and lift your hips off the ground.
    3. Extend one leg straight out in front of you while simultaneously reaching your opposite hand towards your toes.
    4. Return to the starting position and repeat on the other side.
    5. Continue alternating sides for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps on each side.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: abs, the same as the Sledge Hammer
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: seated, not standing
  2. Gorilla ChinPlay demonstration

    2. Gorilla Chin

    67% match
    • Abs
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your knees slightly bent.
    2. Grasp a pull-up bar with an overhand grip, slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
    3. Hang from the bar with your arms fully extended and your palms facing away from you.
    4. Engage your core and pull your body up towards the bar, bringing your chin above the bar.
    5. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower your body back down to the starting position.
    6. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps on each side.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: abs, the same as the Sledge Hammer
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: hanging, not standing
  3. Russian TwistPlay demonstration

    3. Russian Twist

    65% match
    • Abs
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Isolation
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Sit on the ground with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor.
    2. Lean back slightly while keeping your back straight and your core engaged.
    3. Hold your hands together in front of your chest or hold a weight if desired.
    4. Lift your feet off the ground, balancing on your sit bones.
    5. Twist your torso to the right, bringing your hands or weight towards the right side of your body.
    6. Pause for a moment, then twist your torso to the left, bringing your hands or weight towards the left side of your body.
    7. Continue alternating sides for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps on each side.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: abs, the same as the Sledge Hammer
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: seated, not standing
  4. Side Hip (On Parallel Bars)Play demonstration

    4. Side Hip (On Parallel Bars)

    64% match
    • Abs
    • Bodyweight
    • Advanced
    • Compound

    It still works the abs, through a different movement.

    How to perform this exercise
    1. Stand between two parallel bars with your feet shoulder-width apart.
    2. Place your hands on the bars and lift your body off the ground, supporting your weight on your arms.
    3. Engage your abs and slowly lift your legs to the side, keeping them straight.
    4. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower your legs back down to the starting position.
    5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: abs, the same as the Sledge Hammer
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: hanging, not standing
  5. Hanging Oblique Knee RaisePlay demonstration

    5. Hanging Oblique Knee Raise

    63% match
    • Abs
    • Bodyweight
    • Advanced
    • Compound

    Pick this when you want a harder version that still works the abs.

    How to perform this exercise
    1. Hang from a pull-up bar with your arms fully extended and your palms facing away from you.
    2. Engage your core and lift your knees towards your chest, twisting your torso to the side as you do so.
    3. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower your legs back down to the starting position.
    4. Repeat on the other side, twisting your torso in the opposite direction.
    5. Continue alternating sides for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps on each side.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: abs, the same as the Sledge Hammer
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: hanging, not standing
  6. Arm Slingers Hanging Bent Knee LegsPlay demonstration

    6. Arm Slingers Hanging Bent Knee Legs

    62% match
    • Abs
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Hang from a pull-up bar with your arms fully extended and your knees bent at a 90-degree angle.
    2. Engage your core and lift your knees towards your chest, bringing them as close to your elbows as possible.
    3. Slowly lower your legs back down to the starting position.
    4. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps on each side.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: abs, the same as the Sledge Hammer
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: hanging, not standing
  7. Arm Slingers Hanging Straight LegsPlay demonstration

    7. Arm Slingers Hanging Straight Legs

    62% match
    • Abs
    • Bodyweight
    • Advanced
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Hang from a pull-up bar with your arms fully extended and your legs straight down.
    2. Engage your core and lift your legs up in front of you until they are parallel to the ground.
    3. Hold for a moment at the top, then slowly lower your legs back down to the starting position.
    4. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps on each side.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: abs, the same as the Sledge Hammer
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: hanging, not standing
  8. Bridge - Mountain Climber (Cross Body)Play demonstration

    8. Bridge - Mountain Climber (Cross Body)

    62% match
    • Abs
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Start in a high plank position with your hands directly under your shoulders and your body in a straight line.
    2. Engage your core and lift your right foot off the ground, bringing your right knee towards your left elbow.
    3. Return your right foot to the starting position and repeat the movement with your left foot towards your right elbow.
    4. Continue alternating sides, moving at a controlled pace.
    5. Keep your hips level and avoid lifting your hips too high or sagging them too low.
    6. Maintain a steady breathing pattern throughout the exercise.
    7. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps on each side.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: abs, the same as the Sledge Hammer
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: lying face down, not standing
  9. Kneeling Plank Tap ShoulderPlay demonstration

    9. Kneeling Plank Tap Shoulder

    62% match
    • Abs
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Start in a kneeling position with your hands on the ground, shoulder-width apart.
    2. Extend your legs behind you, resting on your toes, and lift your body into a plank position.
    3. Keeping your core engaged and your hips stable, lift one hand off the ground and tap the opposite shoulder.
    4. Return the hand to the ground and repeat with the other hand.
    5. Continue alternating sides for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps on each side.

    Why this matches
    • Movement: an anti-extension hold, close to the Sledge Hammer
    • Primary muscle: abs, the same as the Sledge Hammer
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: kneeling, not standing
  10. Elbow-to-kneePlay demonstration

    10. Elbow-to-knee

    62% match
    • Abs
    • Bodyweight
    • Beginner
    • Isolation
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Start by lying flat on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the ground.
    2. Place your hands behind your head with your elbows pointing outwards.
    3. Engage your abs and lift your upper body off the ground, bringing your right elbow towards your left knee.
    4. At the same time, bring your left knee towards your right elbow, creating a twisting motion.
    5. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower your upper body and extend your legs back to the starting position.
    6. Repeat the movement, this time bringing your left elbow towards your right knee and your right knee towards your left elbow.
    7. Continue alternating sides for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps on each side, and add reps before you add load.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: abs, the same as the Sledge Hammer
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: lying on your back, not standing

Sledge Hammer FAQ

What does the Sledge Hammer train?

The Sledge Hammer is a core exercise driven by your upper body: you brace, swing the hammer down toward the ground and pivot your hips to send the force into the head. You stand with your feet shoulder width apart, brace your core, and swing the hammer down toward the ground while your hips pivot to drive the force into the head.

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Similarity scores compare exercise metadata such as movement pattern, muscles, equipment and body position. They are not a safety rating or a check that you own the equipment. Learn about our methodology