Cross-Body Mountain Climber
Alternating knee drives across the body from a high plank.
This page is a working draft. A coach has not reviewed it, so read it as a starting point, not as checked instruction.
- Pattern
- Trunk stability
- Modality
- Calisthenics
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Mechanic
- Unknown
- Force
- Unknown
- Laterality
- Alternating
- Impact
- Low
- Trains where
- Gym, Home
- At home
- Yes
How to do it
Set up
- Place the hands under the shoulders and extend both legs into a high plank.
Do the rep
- Bring one knee toward the opposite elbow without dropping the hips.
- Return the foot to the full plank position.
- Repeat with the other leg.
What counts as a rep
One rep drives one knee toward the opposite elbow and returns the foot to the plank; add both legs to one total.
One rep drives one knee toward the opposite elbow and returns the foot to the plank; add both legs to one total.
Breathing
Exhale as the knee comes forward; breathe in as the leg returns.
Cues
- Hands stay planted.
- Bring the knee across.
- Keep the hips level.
Common mistakes
Hips bouncing
What you seeThe hips rise and drop with each knee drive.
FixSlow down and keep the shoulders over the hands.
A steady trunk controls the knee drive.
Short return
What you seeThe foot stops under the hips instead of behind the body.
FixExtend the leg fully before the next rep.
The full return defines a repeatable rep.
Stop the set if
- Stop if you feel sharp pain.
- End the set when you cannot return to a stable plank.
General educational content, not individual coaching or medical advice.
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