Core Endurance Stack

6 min

A tight stack of planks, bridges, and holds that builds staying power across your entire midline.

Hit play on this stack when you want focused core endurance without wasting a single second.

Hand Plank

Hand Plank

Duration: 00:30

Hold a high plank to build full-body tension and sharpen your core control.

Difficulty: Beginner

Benefits: Triceps Upper Back Obliques Shoulders Chest Lower Back Glutes Abdomen

Instructions

  • Start on hands and knees, then step both feet back to form a straight line from head to heels.
  • Brace your core and press the floor away through your palms.
  • Hold the strong plank position with steady breathing.

Tips

  • Gaze slightly ahead of your hands to keep the neck neutral.

Adjustments

  • Drop to your knees while maintaining a long line from knees to head for a lighter version.
Elbow Plank

Elbow Plank

Duration: 00:30

Hold a solid forearm plank to build core strength and full-body tension from shoulders to toes.

Difficulty: Beginner

Benefits: Triceps Upper Back Obliques Shoulders Chest Lower Back Glutes Abdomen

Instructions

  • Start on all fours, then lower forearms to the floor and step both feet back.
  • Engage your core to create a straight line from head to heels.
  • Distribute weight evenly between forearms and feet and hold with steady breathing.

Tips

  • Stack elbows under shoulders for stability.
  • Avoid letting your hips sag or lift too high.

Adjustments

  • Drop to your knees while keeping a straight line from knees to head if you want a lighter option.
Elbow Pike

Elbow Pike

Duration: 00:30

Stack into an inverted V on your forearms to challenge shoulders and core in a whole new way.

Difficulty: Intermediate

Benefits: Triceps Shoulders Chest Abdomen

Instructions

  • Set up in a forearm plank with elbows under shoulders and legs long.
  • Engage your core and lift hips toward the ceiling to form an inverted V shape.
  • Hold the position with weight balanced between your forearms and feet while breathing steadily.

Tips

  • Keep legs active and heels reaching toward the floor.
  • Let your head stay between your arms so your neck can relax.

Adjustments

  • Bend your knees slightly or lower the hips if you need a lighter version.
  • Place a cushion under the forearms for extra comfort.
Elbow Side Plank

Elbow Side Plank

Duration: 00:30

Hold a powerful side plank on your forearm to challenge your obliques and shoulder stability.

Difficulty: Beginner

Benefits: Triceps Obliques Shoulders Abdomen

Instructions

  • Lie on one side with legs extended and feet stacked.
  • Place your bottom elbow under your shoulder, forearm flat on the floor.
  • Engage your core and lift your hips to form a straight line from head to heels while the top hand rests on your hip.
  • Hold with steady breathing, then switch sides halfway through.

Tips

  • Keep hips high and stacked so your body stays aligned.

Adjustments

  • Drop your bottom knee to the floor if you want extra support.
Reverse Plank

Reverse Plank

Duration: 00:30

Hold a reverse plank to strengthen your backside and open your chest at the same time.

Difficulty: Beginner

Benefits: Shoulders Hamstrings Lower Back Glutes Abdomen

Instructions

  • Sit with legs extended and hands on the floor behind your hips, fingers pointing toward your feet.
  • Press through palms and heels to lift your hips toward the ceiling.
  • Straighten arms and legs to create a long line from head to heels and hold with steady breathing.

Tips

  • Lift your chest and keep your head in a neutral position.
  • Lock in strong arms without hyperextending the elbows.

Adjustments

  • Bend your knees and keep feet flat if you want a lighter variation.
  • Turn fingertips outward slightly if wrists feel strained.
Reverse Plank Leg Lift

Reverse Plank Leg Lift

Duration: 00:30

Float one leg while holding a reverse plank to light up your posterior chain and core.

Difficulty: Intermediate

Benefits: Shoulders Hips Hamstrings Quadriceps Lower Back Glutes Abdomen

Instructions

  • Sit with legs extended and hands planted behind your hips, fingers pointing toward your feet.
  • Press through palms and heels to lift your hips toward the ceiling, forming a straight line from head to heels.
  • Keep legs straight and lift one leg off the floor, holding the reverse plank as you breathe.
  • Lower the leg and switch sides with control.

Tips

  • Straighten arms and legs to maintain a long line.
  • Keep your chest broad and neck neutral while you hold.

Adjustments

  • Keep both feet on the floor for a lighter variation.
  • Turn your fingertips slightly outward if your wrists need relief.
Bridge

Bridge

Duration: 00:30

Lift into a grounded bridge to awaken glutes and hamstrings while giving your spine a friendly stretch.

Difficulty: Beginner

Benefits: Hamstrings Lower Back Glutes

Instructions

  • Lie on your back with knees bent, feet hip-width, and arms relaxed by your sides.
  • Press through both heels to raise your hips, creating a straight line from knees to shoulders.
  • Hold the lift with glutes fired up and breathe into your ribs before lowering with control.

Tips

  • Squeeze the glutes at the top so the work stays in the backside instead of the low back.
  • Keep ribs down and core engaged to prevent excessive arching.

Adjustments

  • Lift the hips to a halfway point if you want a lighter option.
  • Rest your head on a folded towel when the neck needs extra support.
Leg Lift

Leg Lift

Duration: 00:30

Lift both legs for a static hold that fires up your core and hip flexors.

Difficulty: Intermediate

Benefits: Hips Quadriceps Abdomen

Instructions

  • Lie on your back with legs extended and arms behind your head or by your sides.
  • Engage your core and lift both legs to about a forty-five degree angle, keeping them straight and together.
  • Hold the position while breathing steadily and keeping your lower back anchored.

Tips

  • Press your lower back into the floor for support.
  • Keep head and shoulders relaxed on the ground.

Adjustments

  • Lift one leg at a time if both legs feel too heavy today.
  • Place hands under your hips or bend your knees slightly if your lower back needs extra care.
Toe Touch Hold

Toe Touch Hold

Duration: 00:30

Reach for your toes with legs lifted to ignite your abs and build static strength.

Difficulty: Intermediate

Benefits: Abdomen

Instructions

  • Lie on your back with knees bent and feet flat.
  • Extend your legs straight up and lift head, neck, and shoulders off the floor.
  • Reach your arms toward your toes and hold the position.

Tips

  • Keep your lower back pressing into the mat.

Adjustments

  • Leave a soft bend in your knees or lower the legs slightly if your hamstrings feel tight.
Bicycle Crunch Hold

Bicycle Crunch Hold

Duration: 00:30

Lock into a bicycle crunch and feel your obliques fire while you balance between power and control.

Difficulty: Intermediate

Benefits: Obliques Abdomen

Instructions

  • Lie on your back with knees bent and feet on the floor, then lace your fingers lightly behind your head.
  • Lift head, shoulders, and upper back off the mat while pressing your lower spine down.
  • Extend one leg long and pull the opposite knee toward your chest as you rotate to bring the opposite elbow toward that knee.
  • Hold the twist with steady breathing, then switch sides halfway through the set.

Tips

  • Keep the core braced so the lower back stays glued to the mat.
  • Think about rotating the ribcage rather than yanking the elbow forward.
  • Support your head gently with your hands without pulling on the neck.

Adjustments

  • Keep both knees more bent or rest the extended heel on the floor if you need to dial the intensity down.
Lying Side Leg Raise

Lying Side Leg Raise

Duration: 00:30

Lift your top leg while lying on your side to groove hip strength and core stability.

Difficulty: Beginner

Benefits: Obliques Lower Back Glutes Abdomen

Instructions

  • Lie on one side with legs extended and feet stacked.
  • Rest your head on your lower arm and place the top hand on your hip.
  • Engage your core and lift the top leg toward the ceiling, creating about a forty-five degree angle.
  • Hold briefly, lower with control, and repeat before switching sides.

Tips

  • Keep your body in a straight line and avoid letting the hips roll forward or back.

Adjustments

  • Work through a smaller range of motion if lifting high feels challenging.
Superman

Superman

Duration: 00:30

Lift your arms, chest, and legs off the floor to strengthen your entire posterior chain like a superhero.

Difficulty: Beginner

Benefits: Upper Back Shoulders Hamstrings Lower Back Glutes

Instructions

  • Lie face down with arms extended overhead and legs long behind you.
  • Engage your core and back muscles to lift arms, chest, and legs off the floor.
  • Hold the position with your head aligned with your spine while breathing steadily.

Tips

  • Reach through fingertips and toes to create length.
  • Let your gaze stay down so your neck remains neutral.

Adjustments

  • Lift only your arms or only your legs if you want a lighter variation.

Ease into a standing stretch, feel the midline burn, and plan the next time you’ll stack it even longer.