TETSU

Cable Judo Flip vs Potty Squat

The Cable Judo Flip and the Potty Squat both train the abs as their primary muscle. The Cable Judo Flip uses a cable while the Potty Squat is bodyweight-only. Here is how they compare and when to pick each.

Head to head

Side-by-side comparison

Cable Judo FlipPotty Squat
Primary muscleabsabs
Body partwaistwaist
Supporting musclesobliques and shouldersquadriceps and glutes
Equipmentcablebodyweight
Steps in our guide86
Setup

How each one starts

Cable Judo Flip — first steps

  1. Stand facing the cable machine with your feet shoulder-width apart.
  2. Hold the cable handle with both hands at chest level, palms facing down.

Potty Squat — first steps

  1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, toes pointing slightly outward.
  2. Lower your body down by bending your knees and pushing your hips back as if you were sitting on a chair.

Full step-by-step guides are linked below.

Decision

Which should you choose?

The Cable Judo Flip keeps constant tension on the muscle through the whole range of motion. The Potty Squat needs no equipment and scales through leverage, tempo and reps. If your gym has both options, neither is a wrong choice: pick the one that feels strongest through a full range, and swap after 6 to 8 weeks to keep the abs adapting.

Guides

Full form guides

Answers

Common questions

Is the Cable Judo Flip better than the Potty Squat?

Neither is universally better — both train the abs as the primary mover. The Cable Judo Flip keeps constant tension on the muscle through the whole range of motion, while the Potty Squat needs no equipment and scales through leverage, tempo and reps. Choose based on your equipment and which movement you can progress consistently.

Can I do both the Cable Judo Flip and the Potty Squat in the same program?

Yes, but usually not in the same session — they overlap heavily on the abs. A common setup is one as your main movement and the other on a second training day, or alternating them block by block.

Do the Cable Judo Flip and the Potty Squat work the same muscles?

The primary muscle is the same: the abs. Supporting muscles differ slightly — obliques and shoulders for the Cable Judo Flip versus quadriceps and glutes for the Potty Squat.

Track it in Tetsu

Tetsu tracks both movements separately, keeps your PRs per exercise, and tells you which one is actually progressing. Free to start.