Health Advocate Blog

WOW–Workout of the Week: Plank Push-Ups

This week’s workout is Plank Push-Ups. This is a great core exercise for strengthening your upper and lower abs, plus your obliques, backside, lower back, arms, chest, and shoulders. Here’s how to do them:

  • Start out flat on your stomach, like you are about to do a push-up.
  • Lift yourself about 6 inches off of the ground, resting your weight on your toes and elbows. This is the starting position. Make sure your elbows are bent at a 90-degree angle and that your body is making a straight line from your head to your feet. Hold this position for 5-10 seconds.
  • Next, tighten your stomach, place both palms on the ground, and do a push-up. Again, focus on keeping your back straight.
  • Finally, lower yourself until your body is about 6 inches off the ground, and get back into the starting position. Congratulations—you just did one Plank Push-Up!
  • Try doing 2-3 sets of about 15-20 Plank Push-Ups.

For added difficulty, do Plank Push-ups at a very slow pace, which can make your muscles work harder. Try adding 5-10 Plank Push-ups to your sets each day this week!

We hope you’ll try Plank Push-Ups over the weekend and then build this exercise into your daily routine Monday through Friday of the coming week.

Want more fitness ideas?  If you’re a Health Advocate member with access to the Wellness Coaching program, reach out to your Wellness Coach for more healthy ideas to get—and stay—fit. And remember, talk to your doctor before beginning any new fitness regimen.