1 Start in Plank with shoulders over your hands, core engaged, toes tucked, and feet hip-width apart. Lift hips to form a straight line from shoulders to heels.
Turn the plank position on its side to build upper-body and core strength, particularly in your obliques and shoulders, as well as the knees and hips. This posture also develops your balance. Use it as a warm up for any workout, or on its own to build strength and endurance.
TARGET AREAS
• shoulders • upper back • chest • arms • core • hips • thighs
BENEFITS
• Improves core stability • Builds upper-body strength and endurance • Strengthens hips • Increases knee stability and strength
1 Start in Plank with shoulders over your hands, core engaged, toes tucked, and feet hip-width apart. Lift hips to form a straight line from shoulders to heels.
2 Press down firmly into your right hand, roll onto the outside of the right foot, lift your left hand off the floor, and stack your left foot on your right foot. Flex your toes toward your shins. Place left hand on your left hip to stabilize hips and achieve balance, then lift hips as high as possible toward the ceiling.
3 Extend your left arm toward the ceiling. Pull the crown of your head away from your chest, and rotate your head to look up at your hand. Reach your tailbone toward your feet so your back is straight. Hold the posture, inhaling as you lengthen your body, and exhaling as you reach your arm and hips higher. Repeat on the other side.
YOU SHOULD FEEL
• Engagement of hips, obliques, thighs, shoulder of base arm, and leg of base foot
• Stretch in shoulder of raised arm
YOU SHOULDN’T FEEL
• Chest facing down; if it is, roll back top shoulder to open chest to the side
PRO TIP
Want more of a challenge? Lift your top leg toward the ceiling, keeping the foot flexed.
NOT THERE YET?
