Target tension.: Whether the muscle you’re training is what gives out first, not your grip, balance or other muscles.
Loaded stretch.: How hard the muscle works while stretched. Training it there is linked to more growth.
Progression.: How easily you can keep adding weight in small steps over months and years.
Low cost.: How easy it is on your joints and recovery, and how quickly you can learn it.

The research score comes from these, scored by hand from the studies. Lifter scores appear once an exercise has 10 ratings. How scores work

When each one fits

Good reasons to choose dragon flag

You want more load on the abs while they’re stretched
You want to keep adding weight in small steps

Good reasons to choose reverse crunch

You have no equipment
You want something easy to learn
You want something easier on your joints

Dragon Flag

Reverse Crunch

You need

Bench

Nothing but the floor

Skill

Needs coaching

Easy to learn

Type

Isolation

Questions

Which is better for your abs, dragon flag or reverse crunch?

For your abs, the two are close. Dragon flag rates slightly higher: more stretch, easier to progress. Reverse crunch is easier on the joints.

Is dragon flag or reverse crunch easier to learn?

Reverse crunch is easier: it’s easy to learn, while dragon flag needs coaching.

Can you do dragon flag or reverse crunch at home?

Dragon flag needs a bench, so a home gym covers it. Reverse crunch needs no equipment, so you can do it anywhere.

Which is easier on the joints, dragon flag or reverse crunch?

Reverse crunch: it rates Excellent for joint and recovery cost in our research rubric, against Fair for dragon flag.

More comparisons

Dragon Flag Reverse Crunch All abs exercises

Dragon Flag vs Reverse Crunch

For your abs, the two are close. Dragon flag rates slightly higher: more stretch, easier to progress.

Reverse crunch is easier on the joints.

What these mean

Target tension.: Whether the muscle you’re training is what gives out first, not your grip, balance or other muscles.
Loaded stretch.: How hard the muscle works while stretched. Training it there is linked to more growth.
Progression.: How easily you can keep adding weight in small steps over months and years.
Low cost.: How easy it is on your joints and recovery, and how quickly you can learn it.