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What shoulder muscles do side-planks work?

4 min read

Asked by: Patricia Anderson

Side plank, however, activates muscles that tend to be underused in our daily lives, including the following: The infraspinatus and teres minor (posterior shoulder) muscles, which externally rotate the upper arm bones, drawing the heads of the shoulders away from the chest.

Do side planks help shoulders?

The side plank might seem basic, but it’s actually a killer workout. It’s a unilateral exercise that engages your whole body. In addition to your core, you’ll strengthen your shoulders, arms, hamstrings, back, and 🍑.

How do you strengthen your shoulders for side planks?

Top leg on the floor keep your hips lifted shift your weight. Forward. Press the front leg down lift the back leg. Back leg down shift your weight back keep the hip lifted.

Why do side planks hurt my shoulders?

The Saggy Shoulder



These muscles help to prevent a forward shoulder. Strengthening them is key in all painful shoulder conditions. When the shoulder is inactive during a plank the stress from holding our body weight is forced into our soft tissues such as the shoulder ligaments, labrum, joint capsule and tendons.

What is the benefit of side plank?

Benefits of The Side Plank



It is a balancing exercise and you will be building your balance and coordination. This exercise can help you be able to sustain good posture and ease of movement by building a strong core and better balance.

How long should you hold a side plank?

The longer you hold the side plank, the better. Anything in excess of a minute is good, two minutes plus is excellent. To make the exercise harder, straighten your supporting arm with the palm flat on the mat.

Why are side planks so hard?

According to Anel Pla, CPT, personal trainer with Five Point Zero Fitness, a fitness studio in New Jersey, there are three main reasons someone might struggle with the side plank: shoulder instability, core (especially oblique!) weakness and inactive glutes.

Do side planks reduce love handles?

The side plank is another great exercise that can be used to lose the “love handles.” To perform this exercise, start by laying on your right side on an exercise or yoga mat. Make sure your legs are extended completely out to the side.

Do side planks make you wider?

Because the obliques are positioned mainly along the sides of your torso, the effect is to actually thicken your waist. Probably not the effect you’re going for.

Are side planks worth it?

Side planks are a great core strengthening exercise, and they work so much more than just your abs. They engage one side of your body at a time and use your shoulders, obliques, and hips to stabilize your body in the plank position.

Do side planks slim your waist?

The side plank with hip lifts activates the obliques and helps to build endurance and core strength. This exercise works the deep abdominal muscles and helps to tighten and shrink the waistline.

Can you do side planks everyday?

You can perform a plank every day, on alternate days, or simply as part of your regular workouts.

Are side planks worth it?

Side planks are a great core strengthening exercise, and they work so much more than just your abs. They engage one side of your body at a time and use your shoulders, obliques, and hips to stabilize your body in the plank position.

Why are side planks so hard?

According to Anel Pla, CPT, personal trainer with Five Point Zero Fitness, a fitness studio in New Jersey, there are three main reasons someone might struggle with the side plank: shoulder instability, core (especially oblique!) weakness and inactive glutes.

Are side planks good for glutes?

Exercise #4: Side Plank with Leg Raise



Work your glutes AND your obliques with this glute activation exercise. This move is the perfect way to tone and strengthen your entire core! To do the Side Plank with Leg Raise, set up in a side plank from your forearm with your bottom hip up off the ground and your feet stacked.

What exercise can I do instead of side planks?

Here are five great side plank alternatives.

  • Asymmetrical Carry.
  • DVRT Leg Threading.
  • TRX Hip Drop.
  • DVRT Half-kneeling Arc Press.
  • TRX Side Plank.


Do side planks make you wider?

Because the obliques are positioned mainly along the sides of your torso, the effect is to actually thicken your waist. Probably not the effect you’re going for.

Which is the best plank exercise?

5 Best Plank Exercises for a Rock Solid Core

  1. High Plank/Straight Arm Plank. Keep your hands directly under the shoulders. …
  2. Plank with Arm/Leg Lift. Get to a high plank position, lift one leg, hold, bring it down and switch. …
  3. Side Plank. …
  4. Plank Jacks. …
  5. Commando Plank.