Plank

What it is

This foundational bodyweight exercise strengthens your core by requiring you to maintain a rigid, straight line from head to heels. You support your weight on your forearms and toes, primarily engaging your abdominal muscles for stability and endurance.

Technique tips

• Keep your body in a straight line from head to heels.
• Actively engage your core by pulling your navel towards your spine.
• Avoid letting your hips sag or pike towards the ceiling.
• Maintain a neutral neck by looking down between your hands.
• Breathe steadily and deeply, do not hold your breath.
• To increase difficulty, elevate one arm or leg.

How to track your progress

Log the hold time of each set. Straddly keeps your best hold for this exercise and tells you when you beat it, so a two-second gain does not go unnoticed.