EXERCISE GUIDE

Plank

The Plank is a beginner bodyweight core stability exercise that primarily trains the abs. It is useful for building trunk stiffness and anti-extension control.

Primary muscles
abs
Secondary muscles
None
Equipment
bodyweight
Difficulty
beginner

TARGET AREA

Muscles worked

Primary muscles

abs

Secondary muscles

None

THE MOVEMENT

How to perform

  1. Set the forearms or hands under the shoulders and extend the legs behind you.
  2. Brace the abs and glutes to make a straight line from shoulders to heels.
  3. Push the floor away and keep the ribs stacked over the pelvis.
  4. Hold while breathing steadily and stop when the body position can no longer stay consistent.

IRONYOU / CORE

Core cues

  • Brace the abs and glutes while keeping the ribs stacked over the pelvis.
  • Keep the head, torso and hips in one controlled line.
  • Breathe without losing abdominal tension.

STAY SHARP

Common mistakes

  • Letting the lower back sag as fatigue builds.
  • Raising the hips so high that the trunk is no longer challenged.
  • Holding the breath and losing position before the set ends.

YOUR PROGRESS

Your strength

Use your best set to calculate your current IronYou rank and see what comes next.

STEP 1 OF 3

What are we ranking?

Search all 127 exercises or jump into a popular lift.

127 exercises
All exercisesTap one to continue

IRONYOU RANK SYSTEM

Standards

Numeric standards are not published

Your IronYou rank can be calculated for this exercise, but numeric public strength standards are not currently published.

FULL CALCULATOROpen the full Plank calculator

KEEP EXPLORING

Variations

  • Related variations: Ab Wheel Rollout, Pallof Press, and Cable Woodchop.
  • Choose the version that matches your equipment, joint comfort, and the movement you can repeat consistently.

EARLY ACCESS

Track Plank in IronYou.

Keep your last session, progress and next target with you when you train.