Side Plank
How to Do Side Plank
- Lie on your side on an exercise mat.
- Fully extend your legs with one resting on top of the other.
- Fully extend the top arm down the side of your body.
- Bend the arm at floor level to 90 degrees. Your upper arm should be parallel to your body, while your forearm is at 90 degrees. This is the start position.
- Lift your body off the ground and balance on your forearm and the side of your foot, while keeping your body in a straight line.
- Contract your abdominal muscles and relax your shoulders.
- Continue breathing throughout the whole exercise.
- Hold this position for as long as you can.
- Relax and change sides.
- Repeat.
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Related Obliques Exercises
Side Plank Exercise Details
Muscles worked
Side Plank targets obliques and also works abs. Use the illustration and step-by-step instructions above to learn the movement pattern and practice proper form.
Equipment needed
This is an at-home exercise. Equipment required: no equipment.
Similar exercises
Related exercises that work similar muscle groups include Hanging windshield wipers, bosu ball side planks and double side jackknifes. Browse our free illustrated exercise directory for more exercises.
Use this exercise in a workout
Want to use this exercise in a full routine? Our WorkoutLabs Fit workout app lets you follow ready-made home and gym workout plans or build custom workouts with exercises like this. Try it free today.
Exercise illustration licensing: Our exercise and yoga pose illustrations (static and animated) are selectively available for licensing for commercial and non-commercial projects. Visit our exercise illustrations licensing page for detailed information and to submit in inquiry.
Follow ready-made home and gym plans with visual demos and timers – or create custom workouts from exercises like this.
Build illustrated workout plans for your clients in minutes – then share them as branded PDFs or interactive workouts.
Our illustrated Yoga Cards deck is the perfect way to start practicing at home – no class, no studio, no experience needed. 100,000+ sold.
