Having a strong core can not only improve your overall stability but also help prevent back injuries. Not to mention the way women can just sense when a man oozes sex appeal when they put in the effort to stay in shape. And what better way to do that than some of the best plank exercises for men we have narrowed down for you? Planks are the best of body weight exercises that have been all the hype lately. And rightly so! Without ado, let’s get started

Best Plank Exercises for Men

Shape your abs and strengthen your core to lead a healthy life that beams of confidence and attraction with the below mentioned workouts. 

1. Standard plank or Elbow plank

The traditional plank is the starting position for all the variations of plank exercises we have today. This high plank uses body weight to sculpt arms, shoulders along the core.

The elbow plank is slightly more challenging than the standard plank as it recruits more of your core muscles. Make sure your shoulders are right above your elbows. Remember to keep your body in one straight line at all times.

2. Plank Walkup

Start in a standard plank position, then bend your elbows and place your forearms on the floor. Place your right hand on the floor followed by the left. Extend one arm till it's straight and extend the other till both arms are straight.

Pause for a while, then reverse the movement and return to your elbows. Initiate the move with the other hand on the next rep. Doing these exercises with precision and discipline is the key to get ripped with planks.

3. Side Plank With Rotation

Side plank with Rotation builds core strength, and shoulder stability while also improving hip flexibility. This is one of the perfect forms of plank exercises to target your sides for that perfect V-shaped body.

Place your forearm on the ground so it's perpendicular to your body. Have your elbow directly under your shoulder, opposite arm pointing to the sky. Reach underneath your torso towards the opposite hip. With control bring the arm back up while maintaining a side plank.

Do not drop your hips and/or your head. Keep your body straight.

4. Plank With Leg Lift

Start with placing your forearms on the ground, elbows directly underneath your shoulders. Make sure your body forms a straight line from your head to your ankles. Keeping your core tight and your glutes engaged, raise one leg off the ground making sure your hip stays square. Hold for 30-60 seconds, lower down then repeat with the other leg.

5. Reverse plank

This exercise gives your core the most benefit in the least amount of time. Instead of letting the fulcrum of your upper body weight on your hands, Roll your shoulders gently back and ease back onto your elbows.

This is much closer to the effective plank exercise. Choose a mat or a foam roller to avoid hurting your elbows. It challenges your triceps and alleviates wrist strain at the same time. Every plank exercise should be accompanied by a reverse plank for a perfect plank exercises experience.

The goal is to keep challenging yourself. Keep pushing your boundaries to expand the horizon of improvement.

6. ‘Spider-Man’ plank

It's a progression of the regular, plain plank as many on our list. Taking the elbow plank position, raise your right knee up to your right elbow and then bring it back to alternate your left knee to your left elbow.

Take caution to avoid any rotation or sagging in the hips. You will feel the burn in your obliques and abs. Spider-Man plank helps strengthen your lower spine.

7. Plank jacks

Plank jacks get your heart pumping. Begin with a forearm plank position, jump both feet outward. Take care as to feet being wider than hip-distance apart and immediately hop them back into the original plank position. Just like the jumping jacks, these should be performed quickly. Be careful to maintain the straight-line position. Do not let your hips rise or lower from the line. A steady pelvis is vital to avoiding any spasm or injury.

8. Plank with shoulder taps

The plank with shoulder taps helps to strengthen your core, glutes, arms, and shoulders. This exercise helps to reduce lower back pain and tighten your midsection. Start with a full plank modified on knees. Keep your abs tight and prevent your body from swaying as you lift one arm, bend at the elbow, and cross your hand to your opposite shoulder. Repeat with the other side, alternating.

9. Mountain climbers

Get into your plank position, hands a little wider than your shoulders. Abdominals are braces. And then draw one knee in, without lifting the hips up. Take the leg back to the starting position and then keep alternating the legs. Mountain climbers are a great total body exercise. The faster you go, the more your heart rate is going to rise. Be sure to safely maintain proper form throughout.

10. Burpees

When done right, burpees are a combination of 4 different exercises - jump, squat, plank, and pushup - all into one. You can completely eliminate the pushup if a full burpee is too challenging, to begin with. Keep breathing throughout the exercise. Make sure you are exhaling through the hardest part of the burpee. Burpees can really get your heart pounding. They are regarded as one of the best Plank exercises for men and women alike.

11. Planche plank 

A planche is a gymnastics inspired skill where the body is held parallel to the ground and is supported above the floor by straight arms. A slightly less difficult variation of the planche is a planche plank. It is a move that requires strength and balance, all the while testing shoulder mobility. Shoulders, hips, and knees are to be in line with each other. Shoulders will be forward over the hands.

Best Plank Exercises for Men: Takeaway

With these variations, you can keep building your stability and strength. These are some of the Best Plank Exercises for Men to help you keep challenging yourself for better health and balance.

Now, some of these exercises are more advanced. So you will have to judge for yourself which move is right for you and which isn't. Remember, practicing with calm and precision is critical in reducing injury and ensuring your body benefits from the exercise. Be sure to consult your physician before starting any new workout program. Have fun shaping the new you!

It is best to have initiated some breathing exercises before indulging in high intensity exercises like burpees or others of the same kind.

Also Read: How Many Calories Are Burned in a Plank?