Raise, Crunch, and Side-Plank
Strengthen your core! This exercise sculpts your abs and obliques with a raise, crunch, and side plank combo.
The Raise, Crunch, and Side-Plank mainly works the core, with help from the back. No equipment needed: it uses just your bodyweight.
Optional Equipment
Raise, Crunch, and Side-Plank Muscles Worked
Primary
Obliques; Abdominals (rectus abdominis)
Secondary
Deep Core (transverse abdominis); Lats (latissimus dorsi)
Raise, Crunch, and Side-Plank Variations and Alternatives
How to do the Raise, Crunch, and Side-Plank
Begin in a side plank position, supporting your body on one forearm with your feet stacked or one in front of the other for balance. Your body should form a straight line from head to feet.
Place your top hand behind your head, with your elbow pointing towards the ceiling.
Engage your core and oblique muscles to lift your hips off the floor, coming into a raised side plank position.
While maintaining the raised position, bring your elbow down and crunch towards your hips, aiming to bring your elbow and thigh closer together without bending at the waist or dropping your hips.
Return to the raised side plank position with your elbow pointing up again.
Lower your hips back to the starting side plank position.
Repeat the motion for the desired number of reps before switching sides and repeating the exercise with the opposite arm and leg.
Make sure to keep your core engaged and avoid letting your hips sag or lift too high throughout the exercise. Breathe out during the crunch motion and in during the return to the raised side plank. Adjust the number of reps and sets according to your fitness level.
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Raise, Crunch, and Side-Plank FAQs
What muscles does the Raise, Crunch, and Side-Plank work?
The Raise, Crunch, and Side-Plank mainly works the core, with help from the back. The main muscles are the obliques and rectus abdominis.
What equipment do you need for the Raise, Crunch, and Side-Plank?
None. The Raise, Crunch, and Side-Plank is a bodyweight exercise, so you can do it anywhere.
What are some Raise, Crunch, and Side-Plank variations and alternatives?
Similar exercises include the Dumbbell Raise Side-Plank, Elbow to Decline Knee Side-Plank, Elbow to Knee Crunch Side-Plank and Front Plank to Side-Plank.
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