Side Plank primarily works the obliques and hip-stability. It is categorized as a core movement and uses Exercise mat.
- Primary muscles
- obliques and hip-stability
- Equipment
- Exercise mat
- Movement pattern
- core
- Catalog difficulty
- 2 of 5
How to do Side Plank
- Stack shoulders/hips, push the floor away
- Straight line head to feet
Common mistakes
- Hips dipping — shorten the hold
Muscles worked
The primary catalog target is obliques, with hip-stability also involved. Exercise feel varies with setup, range of motion, and individual anatomy.
Easier and harder options
Easier option: Dead Bug
Related exercises and substitutions
A useful substitute should preserve the job this movement has in the session—not merely train a nearby body part. Explore the related Movviva guides below, then compare pattern, target muscles, available equipment, and difficulty.
Dead Bug · Pallof Press · Suitcase Carry (One Side)
Put Side Plank into a plan that adapts.
Movviva builds strength, mobility, and conditioning around your goal, schedule, equipment, and completed training—then gives you the next workout with guided targets and smart swaps.