How To Do Cross Body Planks

By: Chris Freytag, CPT


Chris Freytag demonstrating Cross Body Obliques

Cross Body Planks is a core body exercise that strengthens all the muscle in your abdominals, lower back as well as arms and shoulders. The unique part of the Cross Body Plank is the cross-under motion of the knee toward the opposite elbow. This engages your oblique muscles that shape your waistline and strengthen you core strength and stability. Any type of plank is great for training your core, but if you learn how to do Cross Body Planks, you are getting a move that targets virtually every muscle of your core in a very powerful way. You won’t need to do many of these to get results!

Before you get started on Cross Body Planks, be sure to practice holding a basic plank first. Practice using good form and make sure you are able to keep your body in a straight line without your lower back sagging down or your head drooping forward. Once you are able to hold a full plank for at least 30 seconds, you can try to add a few of the Cross Body Planks into the mix of what you do. Planks are the absolute best way to strengthen your core. There are so many different types of plank moves that you should try many of them and mix them up into your workout routine. Try our workout 6 Plank Variations for Awesome Abs and you will love the unique moves offered, as well as the results you achieve. You’ll feel this one the next day!

Here are the steps to performing Cross Body Planks:

1) Begin in a plank position with your shoulders over your wrists, your feet together, and your body in a straight line.

2) Pull your right knee under your belly to touch your left elbow, then release back to start position.

3) Now pull your left knee under your belly to touch your right elbow, then release back to start position. Continue for desired number of reps. Keep abs tight and keep body in control.

Targets: core, shoulders

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