2) The Decline Plank This version places a little more stress on the lower abs than the rest of the six-pack. Since these muscles are often neglected, and since the decline puts more stress on the shoulders, this “beginner” exercise can wind up surprisingly hard to maintain.

To make a standard Plank ridiculously hard, try the Russian Kettlebell Challenge Plank. Created by former Soviet Spetsnaz trainer and kettlebell guru Pavel Tsatouline, the RKC Plank transforms a traditional Plank into a completely different beast.

Add an incline. Make your plank even harder by adding a footstool or a step. This raises your feet slightly higher than your shoulders and makes your body work harder to maintain stability. You want to work as many muscles in your core as you can, and this move can definitely help with that!

The plank exercise is one of the best exercises for a strong stomach because it works all the muscles in your core, including the rectus abdominus (the “six-pack muscles” you can see), transverse abdominus (your deepest abs muscles), internal and external obliques (your sides), hips, and back (which, yes, are part of …

A proper plank engages your abs, yes, but also your shoulders, back, glutes and quads. Planks are billed as the must-do ab move if you’re serious about developing a strong core. You also need good nutrition, full-body strength training and cardio to develop visible abs.

The Best Abs Workout: The Only 6 Exercises You Need to Get a Six-Pack

1. Hardstyle plank. Equipment: None.
2. Dead bug. Equipment: None.
3. Hollow extension-to-cannonball. Equipment: None.
4. Dumbbell side bend. Equipment: Single medium-weight dumbbell.
5. Barbell back squat. Equipment: Barbell—no weights, though.
6. Bird dog. Equipment: None.

One of the best ab exercises you can do to get that six-pack is the plank. Trainers love plank exercises because they rely on body weight and increase your body’s stability without the necessity of an exercise ball or other equipment.

8 Ways to Get Stronger Abs

1. Hold a weight or medicine ball out at arm’s length.
2. Hold the crunch at the top of the motion.
3. Press the lower back down as hard as possible when you perform your crunch.
4. Use a stability ball.
5. Use an decline bench.
6. Pre-fatigue.
7. Stand up explosively after each crunch.

Developing a strong core is not about doing different variations in crunches or other abs exercises. Planks is considered to be the best exercise as it engages multiple muscle groups simultaneously. Also known as abdominal bridge, plank is an isometric strength exercise that involves maintaining a difficult position in which body weight is held up by the hands or forearms,

The plank exercise ranked number 10 in the ACE study and is a great way to build endurance in both the abs and back, as well as the stabilizer muscles. This move is also great for building strength for pushups, an exercise that requires quite a bit of core strength. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback!

The science of the plank. The plank has quickly gained popularity as one of the best core exercises out there. This exercise stimulates the abs as well as the shoulders, arms, and legs. If performed on a regular basis, it can even improve your mental focus and make you a stronger person overall.

Start with your body facing down on the floor and your toes curled under.