How to Do the Crab Walk

The crab walk is a floor movement where you move forward or backward on your hands and feet with your hips lifted. It works your triceps, shoulders and glutes, and gets your heart rate up. It suits beginners as a fun full-body warm-up or finisher.

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Muscles worked

Primary

  • Triceps
  • Shoulders

Secondary

  • Abs
  • Glutes

How to do the Crab Walk

  1. 1

    Sit on the floor with your knees bent and your hands behind you.

  2. 2

    Place your hands shoulder-width apart with your fingers pointing toward your feet.

  3. 3

    Press into your hands and feet to lift your hips into a tabletop position.

  4. 4

    Keep your chest open and your head neutral.

  5. 5

    Walk forward by moving an opposite hand and foot together.

  6. 6

    Keep your hips lifted as you walk.

  7. 7

    Continue for your set time or distance, then rest.

Form cues to remember

  • Hips high
  • Chest open
  • Move opposite hand and foot
  • Small, steady steps

Common mistakes

Letting your hips sag

Press through your hands and feet to keep your hips lifted.

Shrugging toward your ears

Press the floor away and keep your shoulders down.

Taking big steps

Use small steps to stay balanced.

Dropping your head back

Keep your neck neutral and look forward.

Sets and reps

Conditioning3–5 rounds of 20–40 seconds, with 30 seconds rest
Endurance3 sets of 10–15 meters, with 45 seconds rest

Your wrists and shoulders carry a lot of weight, so go slowly if you feel strain. Skip it if you have wrist or shoulder pain.

Superlift for iPhone

Track your Crab Walk and watch it go up

Superlift shows what you lifted last time, times your rest, and charts your strength week by week, so you always know what to beat. Every exercise in this library is built in, with the same demos and tutorials.

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Logging sets, reps and weight in SuperliftStrength progression chart in SuperliftExercise instructions and video tutorials in Superlift

Crab Walk FAQ

What muscles does the crab walk work?

Your triceps, shoulders and glutes do most of the work, with your abs helping you hold the tabletop position.

Is the crab walk good for shoulders?

It strengthens the back of your shoulders and triceps, but it can feel tough on tight shoulders. Go slowly and keep your chest open.

Can I do the crab walk in a small space?

Yes. Walk back and forth, or do crab reaches in place, lifting one hand at a time.

Crab Walk alternatives

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