I love planks.

Not this kind.

Or this kind.

But this.

Your body should be a straight line from heel to head. The key is to hold your hips up and keep your back straight. In doing so, you’ll get the best ab workout ever! Hold that pose for 30-60 seconds. Repeat, at least 3 times.

I love planks because they are the perfect alternative to crunches and situps and all those other backbreaking ab exercises. For those with lower back pain, this exercise takes the cake. Plus, if you do crunches, you are making your abs stronger but you are not making your abs leaner (which is what most of us want right?)

Need more of a challenge? Here’s a more difficult variation.

Go ahead. Try it. It’s 30 seconds commitment.

Once you’re able to do the tougher one, step it up even more and do some side planks for those obliques (ie muffin top).

Level one:

Level two:

Awesome! Planks made me love ab exercises again. You’ll love them two (Bonus: tricep workout).