When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Heres how it works.

The move tests shoulder and core stability and balance, strengthening the same muscles as your standardplank.

Heres how to stir the pot instead and reasons you should consider giving it a try.

a photo of a woman with strong abs

What is the stir the pot plank exercise?

From here, begin drawing circles with your elbows in clockwise and counterclockwise directions stirring the pot.

Its a brilliant anti-rotation and anti-extension exercise and an efficient core-strengthener.

a woman doing a plank on a stability ball

The plank variation also hits your shoulders, chest, lower back and quads.

Think about the muscles surrounding your spine and pelvis that support movement and act as injury prevention.

Essentially, these muscles keep your lower body stable.

Arrow

When theyre strong, your torso is too.

Your body can withstand, endure and control.

Learning to prevent hyperextension is also crucial for optimal back health.

Arrow

Think about the muscles surrounding your spine and pelvis that support movement and act as injury prevention.

Essentially, these muscles keep your lower body stable.

When theyre strong, your torso is too.

Gaiam Kids Yoga Mat Exercise…

Use conscious contraction (squeezing the muscle groups mentioned above) to keep your body in the plank position.

Next, start with small circles and build as you learn to maintain control.

Practice slightly tucking your pelvis and pulling your shoulder blades apart to create a soft hollow.

manduka PRO Yoga Mat 85…

Finally, move slowly, feeling the muscles working rather than allowing speed to take over.

I recommend working for time, starting with 3-5 sets of 20 seconds and resting for 20 seconds.

Add time as you get stronger and more confident.

Manduka PRO Yoga Mat, Size…

You could also mix someSwiss ball planksand work between moving and static exercises as part of a core-strengthening superset.

More from Tom’s Guide

DICK’S Sporting Goods

Gaiam Kids' Chomper Yoga Mat…

Target

Gaiam Stay-Put Yoga Mat…

CVS Health

Manduka Unisex PRO 71 Yoga…

Gaiam Kids Yoga Mat Exercise…

Manduka The Pro Yoga Mat,…

Gaiam Yoga Mat Classic Solid…

Woman performing a bodyweight core workout on a yoga mat with elbow and knee touching in a bicycle exercise

a photo of a strong woman with dumbbells

Man performing dumbbell renegade rows

a woman�s abs

a photo of a woman with strong abs holding a set of dumbbells

a woman�s abs

Justin Thomas playing golf

a photo of a woman holding a water bottle

Man doing kettlebell exercise

a woman bending into a forward fold on an exercise mat

Saucony Endorphin Elite 2

Resistance bands leg workouts for beginners: image shows man using resistance band

The Apple Watch Series 10 on display at the device�s launch in September 2024

MacBook Pro 2021 (16-inch) on a patio table

Bed bugs

Apple iPhone 16 held in the hand.

Kit Connor and Joe Locke in Heartstopper season 3