Test Your Core Strength With This Trainer-Approved Plank Challenge

Building a stronger core is one of the best things you can do for your body—after all, your core is key to everything you do. And if you want to test your core strength, you’ve come to the right place. In this episode of Trainer of the Month Club, Bridget O’Carroll, founder of Studio Qila, the first Native-owned digital fitness platform, demos a plank challenge that will leave you shaking.

Though it’s only six minutes long, there are no breaks built into the workout. Yep—you’re in various plank positions for the entire session. Before getting started, make sure to have a comfortable mat down for your upper body, and grab either some sliders or a pair of socks.

“We are going to be in a slider plank move for most of this workout,” says O’Carroll. “I want you taking something that feels challenging, but something that you can maintain over time that is what matters the most,” she adds, which is why she provides multiple scaling options throughout the course of the workout.

“We are working our slow-twitch muscles, which means we’re maintaining tension on our muscles over time. So you’re going to get to a point…where you start shaking a little bit. That is totally normal,” says O’Carroll. “That means your muscle fibers are starting to create tiny little tears, and that forces them to rebuild tomorrow. That is how we get stronger—it is not comfortable, team.”

Press play on the video to try the plank challenge for yourself.

Oh hi! You look like someone who loves free workouts, discounts for cutting-edge wellness brands, and exclusive Well+Good content. Sign up for Well+, our online community of wellness insiders, and unlock your rewards instantly.