Side Plank
Use this exercise to build your own workout in our app.
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Plank exercises are among the 5 best abdominal workouts (according to the "Boeckh-Behrens & Buskies" study, 2000) and specifically the side plank is a great way to work your obliques. They are also more effective than traditional sit-ups, since they mobilize several muscle groups without causing any pressure on the discs and on the lumbar vertebrae (according to the study published in the Journal of Strength & Conditioning in May 2002). This exercise is very effective to strengthen trunk stabilizers and works synergistically on all muscle groups if done properly. Due to its depth of action, the Plank is recommended if you want to increase the intensity of your workout. The hard part is keeping the right position and balance for a specific period of time, so we recommend it to those who already have good muscle tone. This exercise is not recommended for those who have injuries to the rotator cuff muscles of the shoulder and those with neck problems.
How to do it
- 1Lie on your side, resting on your forearm. Keep your legs straight, feet at a 90-degree angle.
- 2Push your body weight off the floor, contracting your trunk muscles, until you have created a straight line between shoulder and hip.
- 3Slowly lower your hips and return to the starting position.
⚠️ Common mistakes
- Holding your elbow not perpendicular to the ground (i.e. not with your elbow directly beneath your shoulder).
- Loading the weight of your body on your shoulder and arm.
Now you know how it is done. In the app it joins the other exercises and becomes a multi-week plan.
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