Side Planks

For years, I’ve underestimated the power of side planks. I thought, I’m strong, I don’t need to do side planks, those are a beginner exercise. Truthfully, I just found out, the real reason I have been avoiding them is that they’re brutally hard!

The stability demands placed on the outside of your hips is, substantial, to say the least. They work shoulder and scapula stability, breathing mechanics and anti-rotation core strength.

At the gym, we lean on the anti-rotation press as a lateral stability/anti-rotation go-to. We’re always trying to find holes in our game and improve though. Since we’re not relying on people having a band, or a post to tie it to, which is more difficult to find than you would imagine. We’re doubling down efforts to build strength and stability in the side plank.

The key to improving them is to stay within your limits. Don’t push it too long, modify by placing knees on the ground if necessary and always be willing to cut it short if you need to. Use the prescribed breaths or seconds as a guideline, you don’t have to get to 10 breaths, just because that’s what it says.

Justin Miner

@justinminergain