VideoMountain Climbers
Learn how to do mountain climbers with a clear setup, controlled movement, and a technique you can repeat.
How to do mountain climbers
- Begin in a pushup position, with your weight supported by your hands and toes. Flexing the knee and hip, bring one leg until the knee is approximately under the hip. This will be your starting position.
- Explosively reverse the positions of your legs, extending the bent leg until the leg is straight and supported by the toe, and bringing the other foot up with the hip and knee flexed. Repeat in an alternating fashion for 20-30 seconds.
Mountain Climbers: muscles worked
Primary focus: legs. Supporting muscles: Chest, Shoulders.
Better reps before more weight.
Start with a version you can control. Record the same setup and range each time. Add reps or a small load increase when you can repeat the movement without changing the technique.
Plan your next setFrequently asked questions
How do you do mountain climbers?
Begin in a pushup position, with your weight supported by your hands and toes. Flexing the knee and hip, bring one leg until the knee is approximately under the hip. This will be your starting position. Explosively reverse the positions of your legs, extending the bent leg until the leg is straight and supported by the toe, and bringing the other foot up with the hip and knee flexed. Repeat in an alternating fashion for 20-30 seconds.
What muscles does mountain climbers work?
Mountain Climbers primarily trains the legs, with the chest and shoulders contributing. The exact demand depends on your setup, range, and chosen load.
What is the best technique for mountain climbers?
Check the equipment setup and begin at an easy pace. Use a rhythm you can sustain while preserving the movement pattern. Increase duration or resistance gradually; slow down when coordination changes.
What can I do instead of mountain climbers?
Related options include Bicycling, Bodyweight Walking Lunge, Repeated Box Jump. These can have different equipment, range, and movement demands. Open the guides below to compare the setups before choosing a replacement.
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Compare related movement setups
Browse the directory pages containing mountain climbers and the related movements above to compare equipment and technique choices.
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