Plank

Primary muscle group
Abs
Equipment
Bodyweight
Movement type
Isolation
Where
Home or gym

How to do Plank

Setup

Position yourself face-down with forearms flat on the ground, elbows directly under shoulders. Extend your legs behind you with toes on the ground, creating a straight line from head to heels.

How to do it

  1. Squeeze your glutes and brace your abs as if preparing for a punch to the stomach
  2. Keep your neck neutral by looking at a spot on the floor about a foot in front of your hands
  3. Press your forearms into the ground to prevent your shoulder blades from sagging together
  4. Breathe steadily through your nose while maintaining full-body tension
  5. Hold the position without letting your hips drop or pike upward

Watch out for

  • Letting the lower back sag creates excessive arch and defeats the core strengthening purpose
  • Holding your breath reduces time under tension and can cause dizziness
  • Lifting the hips too high turns this into a rest position rather than an active hold

Learn more on ExRx.net →

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