Difficulty: Hard
Impact Level: Normal
Target Body Parts: abs, triceps, upper back, shoulders, glutes
How to do Plank with Arm Lift
Back to ExercisesInstructions
Start off on your hands and knees with your hands set underneath your shoulders. Then walk your knees back out behind you, tuck your toes and pick your knees up off the floor into Plank position.
Make your body as rigid as you can from your feet to your head to keep it in a straight “plank-like” shape side on. Do this by tensing your quads to lift your knee caps up your thighs, squeezing your glutes together, bracing your core and drawing your belly button up away from the floor, whilst at the same time pressing down into the floor with your hands.
Whilst maintaining this strong plank position, shift your weight slightly to your right and then lift up your left arm up to shoulder height so that it is reaching out in front of you. Aim to keep your hips and shoulders level whilst balancing on one arm. Then return your left hand to the floor below your shoulder. Shift your weight over to the left and then raise your right arm up and out in front of you.
Keep alternating arms slowly, and with control for the duration of the exercise.
How to make Plank with Arm Lift easier
Use our other, easier Plank drills to get the required strength and control for this one. Check out Side Plank, Plank and Alternating Push-up Planks.
How to make Plank with Arm Lift more challenging
Once you have mastered lifting one arm and balancing your plank, try working on two points of contact by lifting your oppsite foot up too.
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