"You need to stay present in this mind-body feedback loop in order to remain in the plank with correct form," Taylor said. "The entire time you're in any plank variation, you're getting micro feedback from your body," meaning you can "keep checking in with different joints and muscles to see if they're stacked, stable, and turned on."
When you feel something is a little off, this is your time to tune in. "If your plank feels unstable or weak, there is usually a micro adjustment you can make in terms of alignment," Taylor said. For example, she said she sees clients "with their wrists not directly stacked under their shoulders, and that is an unstable position."
"Planks, when done correctly, require full-body stability to connect the upper and lower body," said personal trainer Liz Letchford, MS, ATC. "Isometric contractions, like the plank, are a great tool to enhance the brain's connection to and awareness of your muscles."