25 Plank Variations You Absolutely Have to Try

You can't possibly get bored with all these plank options.

By Emily Leaman· 3/12/2013, 1:25 p.m.

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I’ve come to the conclusion, in my years of fitness endeavors, that the plank might be the most versatile exercise out there; the variations are almost endless. And since the good ol’ plank works your abs, glutes, quads, hamstrings, back, shoulders and inner thighs, it’s well worth mixing it up every once in a while.

A few words of guidance on technique: No matter what kind of plank you’re doing, you want to make sure you keep your body in a straight line. That means your hips shouldn’t stick up and your stomach shouldn’t sag. Keep your abs tight to help your spine stay aligned. If you need to modify, drop your knees to the floor.

Once you’ve mastered the basic plank, try working some plank variations into your workout. Here, 25 new plank moves to try.

1. Plank with Donkey Kick

2. Side Plank

3. Physioball Plank

4. Two-Point Plank

5. Plank Up-Downs

6. Rocking Plank

7. Plank Jacks

8. Walking Plank

9. Spiderman Plank

10. Plank Twists

11. Side Plank with Oblique Crunch