Side planks are one of the best exercises for strengthening your core and back muscles and improving balance, which is more than enough reason to add this exercise to your routine. Before you start doing side planks check out some of the most common mistakes that can make this exercise ineffective.
Dropping Your Hips
Much like with any plank exercise, you want your body to be in a straight line from the top of your head down to your heels when performing this exercise. This means that you shouldn’t allow your hips to drop, which is a common side plank mistake.
Improper Neck Posture
It’s important to keep your head and neck aligned while doing a side plank because dropping your head can lead to neck pain or even strains.
Placing Your Elbow Too Far
Your elbow should always be placed directly under the shoulder when performing side planks. Placing the elbow too far is a common beginner mistake that can put too much stress on the elbows and shoulders. To avoid this mistake and perfect your form it would be smart to always exercise in front of a mirror.
Focusing Too Much On The Stopwatch
If you feel tired and you can’t hold a plank position anymore, it’s better to take a break and avoid injuries than to focus on your stopwatch.
