EXERCISE GUIDE

Side Plank

The Side Plank is a beginner bodyweight lateral core stability exercise that primarily trains the abs. It is useful for building lateral trunk stability and anti-lateral-flexion strength.

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 elbow or hand under the shoulder and stack the legs or use a staggered stance.
  2. Lift the hips until the body forms a straight line from head to feet.
  3. Keep the chest and pelvis facing forward without rotating.
  4. Hold while breathing steadily, then repeat on the other side.

IRONYOU / CORE

Core cues

  • Stack the shoulders and hips so the body forms a straight line.
  • Push the floor away through the supporting arm.
  • Keep the pelvis lifted without rotating forward or backward.

STAY SHARP

Common mistakes

  • Letting the hips sag toward the floor.
  • Rotating the chest or pelvis instead of staying stacked.
  • Shrugging into the supporting shoulder.

YOUR PROGRESS

Your strength

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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 Side Plank calculator

KEEP EXPLORING

Variations

  • Related variations: Plank, Ab Wheel Rollout, and Pallof Press.
  • Train both sides so the trunk gets similar exposure in each direction.

EARLY ACCESS

Track Side Plank in IronYou.

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