The Stretch That Chisels Your Core

culled from:www.articlesworld.com

Make your side
plank do double duty by adding a quad stretch. "You'll not only work every muscle in your core, but you'll loosen your hip flexors, a group of muscles on the front of your hips that allow you to bring your legs toward your chest," says BJ Gaddour, C.S.C.S., creator of Men's Health StreamFIT, and the mastermind behind the side plank with quad stretch.

Unfortunately, prolonged sitting makes your hip flexors tight, which can result in injuries like hamstring strains and back pain. "Keeping them flexible is key to staying pain-free and increasing your gains at the gym," says Gaddour.

Plus, performing a quad stretch in a side plank is more effective than doing the stretch standing. The reason: When upright, it's difficult to fully activate your hip flexors since your lower back can hyperextend, he says. But when you're in a side plank, your entire core is stabilized so your back can't easily move.

Ready to try it? Watch the video to learn how to perform the side plank with quad stretch with perfect form.