Strength exercise

Plank (Up-Down)

How to do it

  1. Begin in a high plank with the hands under the shoulders and the body in a straight line from head to heels.
  2. Brace the core and lower down onto one forearm, then the other, into a forearm plank.
  3. Press back up one hand at a time to return to the high plank, pausing briefly to confirm a stable position before the next transition.
  4. Alternate which arm leads the transition from rep to rep, keeping the hips still and square throughout.
  5. Move at a controlled, deliberate tempo rather than rushing, treating each up or down transition as a distinct working repetition.
  6. Continue for the prescribed time while breathing steadily; avoid twisting the hips or shoulders as the leading arm changes, which is the most common fault.

Muscles worked

CoreThe group of trunk muscles across the abdomen, sides, and lower back that stabilize the spine and pelvis and transfer force between the upper and lower body. All Core exercises

Related Core exercises

Type
Strength
Equipment
Bodyweight
Primary muscles
Core
Measured in
Time