SciencePlank exercises target multiple muscle groups, strengthen your core, and improve posture.- You can also modify your plank positions to work different muscles with side planks and reverse planks.
- Here's how to do a plank properly to get these
health benefits. - This article was medically reviewed by Joey Thurman, CSCS, CPT, FNS, a Chicago-based
fitness expert and MYX Fitness coach.
Planks are a great way to strengthen your core and work out many different muscle groups, all at once. You can also do them anywhere — all you need is your body weight.
"The versatility and accessibility makes it one of the most incredible, well-rounded core exercises," says celebrity trainer Jillian Michaels, creator of The Jillian Michaels Fitness App.
Here's what you should know about the health benefits of planks and how to do them effectively.
Planks are a full-body workout
Planks don't just target your abs, but require almost all the major muscle groups in your body to work together.
"Planks strengthen your spine, rhomboids, lats, trapezius, core, quads, glutes, hamstrings, shoulders, and triceps when done properly," Michaels says.
Other exercises like crunches or sit-ups can target the abs and core as effectively as planks, Michaels says. A 2016 study published in the International Journal of Physiotherapy and Research found that both a 30-day plank workout regimen and a 30-day abdominal challenge — consisting of sit-ups, crunches, and leg raises — resulted in an equally effective waist reduction and abdominal skinfold measurement.
But where planks rise above other ab exercises is the way they incorporate other muscle groups. "Working multiple muscle groups at the same time burns more calories and is more time efficient," Michaels says.
In addition, planks are an example of a functional exercise. These exercises, which incorporate multiple muscle groups, are more effective than exercises that target one muscle group because functional exercises mimic the ways our bodies move during day-to-day activities.
For example, a 2017 study found that people who underwent a doctor-led functional
Planks can improve your posture
Doing planks can also help improve your posture by strengthening your core.
According to the US National Library of Medicine, having good posture while standing involves standing straight and tall with your shoulders back and your stomach pulled in. That's very similar to the position you're in with a plank.
"Planks can absolutely help build better posture because they are conditioning some of the key muscle groups responsible for holding you upright," Michaels says.
In addition, a small 2019 study published in the Indian Journal of Public Health Research & Development found that doing planks on an unstable surface could help improve bad posture and fix rounded shoulders. Thirty participants in their 20s did planks three times a week for four weeks; one group did planks on the ground, while the other group planked using an unstable surface. The group that planked on an unstable surface had better alignment of their head and spine and less rounded shoulders at the end of the study.
How to do a plank
The basic premise of a plank is to hold your body in a straight line with only your palms and toes touching the ground.
Michaels says you should follow these 8 essential tips to have good form during a plank:
1. Your hands are placed comfortably on the ground, either with your palms on the ground or fists clasped together.
2. Your feet are hip-width apart. You should be balancing on the balls of your feet.
3. Your spine is totally straight.
4. Your tailbone should be tucked so that it's aligned with your spine, not sticking into the air.
5. Your glutes — butt muscles — are squeezed tight.
6. Your belly button is drawn in toward your spine.
7. Your lats — back muscles — should be flexed and pulling away from the floor.
8. Your body is in one straight line. "Make sure your lower back isn't sagging and your booty isn't popping up," Michaels says.
Try to hold the plank for 30 to 60 seconds at a time.
"While in the position, don't look for cheats to make it easier — instead look to squeeze each muscle for an even greater contraction," Michaels says.
It's important to never compromise your form. Having bad form — like allowing your lower back to sag or popping your butt into the air — can increase your risk for injuries and make the plank less effective.
"If your form is compromised you risk injury because you are placing stress on tendons, bones, joints, and muscles that are potentially not in alignment, which can cause you to get hurt," Michaels says. "Good form is critical with any and every exercise in order to get the most out of it."
Modified plank positions
While planks are always a whole-body exercise, certain types of planks can give specific muscle groups an added workout. Modified planks can also make the exercise harder, giving you an additional challenge once you've mastered regular planks.
"Depending on how you modify or progress your plank exercise, you can make it extremely difficult or far more manageable," Michaels says.
Here are a few different plank positions to try, whether you're a beginner or expert.
Side planks
Maintaining the same tenants of a traditional plank, rotate onto your side, extending one arm toward the ceiling and balancing on one foot.
"Side planks are amazing for obliques and intercostals," Michaels says. These are the muscles between your ribs.
Reverse planks
This is the same idea as a standard plank, but you're facing the ceiling rather than the floor. Lay on your back, and push your upper body up with your arms extended beneath you, until your body is forming a straight line. Hold this position.
"Reverse planks are incredible for your entire core, glutes, hamstrings, and back," Michaels says.
Takeaways
No matter your fitness level, planks are a good exercise to incorporate into your fitness routine. You can challenge yourself to do planks daily — and even integrate them into the beginning of your stretching and cooldown routine so you don't forget about them.