The plank may sound like something really scary and for some it may be a scary exercise, but the plank is one of the best exercises that you can do to strengthen the core muscles of your stomach and back. The plank is a great exercise to incorporate into your workout routine because, not only will it work out your abdominal muscles, but it will strengthen your entire core (back, hips) which is so important for daily activities that you don’t even think about.

Here is how to do a plank:
1. Lie face down on an exercise mat or a carpeted surface, resting on your forearms underneath your chest.
2. Prop yourself up on your toes and forearms only so your body forms a straight bridge. Be sure to keep your butt down and even with the entire back of your body.
3. Keep your abdominal muscles contracted, which helps to hold your whole body in a straight line. Hold this for at least 15 seconds.
4. Lower back down to the starting position and repeat for desired amount of steps.

The key to performing the plank exercise is to keep your abdominals contracted the whole time to work your core muscles and allow for proper form. This is not an easy exercise and many beginners may find that they can’t hold the plank position for very long. Start off with as long as you can properly hold the position and then as you gain more strength, aim to hold yourself up in the position for a minute at a time.

As if the classic plank exercise was not hard enough, there are some advanced variations on the exercise. There is the side plank in which you balance on your side on one arm while keeping your entire body in a straight line. Then there is a plank on one leg in which you lift one leg off the ground in a leg raise and you only balance on one leg at a time.

The plank is a terrific exercise to add into your workout regiment that helps to strengthen the entire body. It focuses specifically on the core muscles, which are of extreme importance when it comes to supporting your body. Keep your core muscles strong with the plank and you will find out that everyday activities and other exercises will become so much easier for you.