Workouts 5-Minute Daily Plank Workout By Darla Leal facebook twitter linkedin instagram Darla Leal is a Master Fitness Trainer, freelance writer, and the creator of Stay Healthy Fitness, where she embraces a "fit-over-55" lifestyle. Learn about our editorial process Darla Leal Reviewed by Reviewed by Tara Laferrara, CPT on January 09, 2020 Tara Laferrara is a certified NASM personal trainer, yoga teacher, and fitness coach. She also created her own online training program, the TL Method. Learn about our Review Board Tara Laferrara, CPT Updated on March 03, 2021 Print Verywell / Ben Goldstein Want to improve your core strength, but don't think you have enough time? If you're unsure of which exercises will get the job done efficiently, you're not alone. Confusion on how to exercise, or how much time to spend working out, can cause you to neglect your core muscles altogether. Luckily, well-designed micro-exercise routines are gaining popularity. These exercises provide an effective way to do small bouts of exercise that add up to big results. Why Your Core Is Key Core workouts are vital for building a foundation of strength and stability. Your core provides support for more advanced exercises. Without a solid core routine, underlying weaknesses can make you more prone to injury. Performing a consistent and effective core workout is paramount for your functional fitness. Core muscles include both the deep and shallow muscles of the trunk. A strong core: Stabilizes the spinal columnAligns the bodyEnhances body movementImproves balanceImproves functional fitness When the core muscles are not exercised on a regular basis, they can become weak, which increases the risk of: Poor postureCompressed posterior joints of the lumbar spineLow back pain or discomfortExcessive anterior/posterior leaning of the pelvisMuscle tension and tightness Core exercises optimize muscle strength and stability. A strong core prevents injuries to the knees, hip joints, and lumbar spine. Core muscle stability helps relieve back pain by supporting proper posture. The Benefits of Planks Developing a strong core will provide a better workout experience. It will round out your fitness program and help you maintain good form throughout each movement. You may already be familiar with some common core exercises, including crunches and bridges. One of the best ways to strengthen your core is through planks. Studies show that planks produce excellent core muscle activation, which supports the recommendation of planks for both trained athletes and inexperienced exercisers. This 5-Minute Daily Plank Workout offers a quick, quality exercise program that includes a variety of plank holds. The following exercises will strengthen your core in just minutes per day. Here's how to get started. 5-Minute Daily Plank Workout Perform a quick warm-up before you begin. A one-minute walk/jog in place, followed by a light stretch, should be sufficient. Use the moves below to get started on strengthening your core. To reach a full five minutes, perform each of the following plank exercises twice in a row. Straight Arm Plank Verywell / Ben Goldstein Start in a push-up position on the floor with your arms slightly wider than shoulder-width apart. Your hands should be directly under your shoulders. Maintain straight arms, with toes tucked. Keep your core tight and body straight from head to toe. Avoid sagging at the hips or dipping your head. Breathe through this exercise for 30 seconds. Modification To make this exercise easier, perform the plank from your knees instead of your toes. You can also hold the exercise for a shorter amount of time if needed. It's OK if it takes time to build up to the recommended exercise time. Focus on progress, not perfection. Reverse Plank Verywell / Ben Goldstein Sit on an exercise mat with your legs extended out in front of you. Place your palms, fingers spread wide, on the floor slightly behind you. They should be positioned outside of your hips. Press into your palms while lifting your hips and torso toward the ceiling. Look up to the ceiling, point your toes, and keep your arms and legs straight. Keep your entire body engaged to form a straight line from your head to your heels. Tighten your core and focus on pulling your belly button back towards your spine. Hold this position for 30 seconds. Modification To modify the reverse plank, perform the exercise while resting on your forearms. Keep elbows at a 90-degree angle. Forearm Side Plank Verywell / Ben Goldstein Lay down on your right side on an exercise mat with your legs extended (right leg will be placed directly on the left leg, feet stacked). Place your right elbow directly under your shoulder resting on the forearm (at a 90-degree angle). Keep your head and spine neutral. Your right hip and knee will remain in contact with the floor. Engage your core to lift your hips and knees off the floor. Hold this plank for 30 seconds. Repeat on the other side to complete the set. Modification Perform this side plank exercise with slightly bent legs. Keep your knees in contact with the floor to make this move easier. Pyramid Plank Verywell / Ben Goldstein Start in the plank position, with your forearms on an exercise mat. Maintain a tight core and begin pressing your hips toward the ceiling. Remain on your forearms, and gently press your heels toward the floor (think of an upside-down "V" shape). Hold the position briefly, and lower your hips to return to the plank position. Push up onto your hands. Move your body into a downward dog yoga position (hips raised again toward the ceiling) while maintaining a tight core and a straight back. Stretch your heels and chest toward the floor simultaneously. Slowly return to the plank position on your forearms. Repeat exercise for 30 seconds. Modification You can also perform this exercise from your knees. A Word From Verywell Building a strong core is essential for achieving total body strength and stability. Core exercises reduce your risk of injury, relieve lower back pain, and promote proper posture. Planks are an effective way to stimulate your core muscles and gain maximum benefits from your time spent working out. Believe it or not, it is possible to strengthen your core in just five minutes per day, and quick exercise programs are beneficial for squeezing in a functional workout. If you can't get through the entire workout as outlined, don't sweat it. Just do what you can, and build up your strength over time. Always consult your physician or other health care professional before starting this or any other exercise program. 7 Days of 7-Minute Workouts Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Get exercise tips to make your workouts less work and more fun. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Fit uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Do YC, Yoo WG. Comparison of the thicknesses of the transversus abdominis and internal abdominal obliques during plank exercises on different support surfaces. Journal of Physical Therapy Science. 2015;27(1):169-70. doi:10.1589/jpts.27.169 Gottschall J, Mills J, Hastings B. Core exercises that incorporate distal trunk muscles maximize primary trunk muscle activation. Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. ACSM. 2011;43(5):396. doi:10.1249/01.MSS.0000401092.05865.1c Huxel bliven KC, Anderson BE. Core stability training for injury prevention. Sports Health. 2013;5(6):514-22. doi:10.1177/1941738113481200 Lee J, et al. Comparison of three different surface plank exercises on core muscle activity. Journal of Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science. 2016;5(1):29. doi:10.14474/ptrs.2016.5.1.29 Tong T, Wu S, Nie J. Sport-specific endurance plank test for evaluation of global core muscle function. Journal of Physical Therapy in Sport. 2014;15(1):58-63. doi:10.1016/j.ptsp.2013.03.003