Exercise guide
Spiderman Front Plank
- Intermediate
- Compound
- Timed hold
- Shoulders
- Waist
This dynamic plank variation intensifies core engagement by targeting the obliques and hip flexors while demanding significant shoulder and glute stability. It effectively builds anti-rotational strength and improves hip mobility through a functional, multi-joint movement.
Reviewed by the Crucible team · Updated June 2026
Muscles worked
Setup
- Begin in a standard forearm plank position with your elbows directly underneath your shoulders.
- Engage your core, squeeze your glutes, and tuck your pelvis slightly to create a straight line from head to heels.
- Position your feet hip-width apart to provide a stable base for the unilateral movement.
How to do it
- Exhale as you lift your right foot and drive your right knee toward the outside of your right elbow in a smooth, controlled arc.
- Inhale as you slowly return your right foot to the starting position, ensuring your hips do not sag or rotate.
- Repeat the movement on the left side, alternating legs while maintaining a steady 2-second tempo for each repetition.
- Keep your gaze fixed on the floor between your forearms to maintain a neutral cervical spine throughout the set.
Form checklist
- Keep hips level and parallel to the floor; avoid letting them tilt toward the moving leg.
- Maintain a strong 'hollow body' position to prevent the lower back from arching.
- Ensure elbows remain stacked directly under the shoulders to maximize joint stability.
- Keep the moving foot hovering just above the ground rather than dragging it.
Pro tips
- Focus on the 'crunch' sensation in your side; imagine trying to touch your knee to your tricep to maximize oblique recruitment.
- Actively push your forearms into the floor to engage the serratus anterior and stabilize the shoulder girdle.
Make it harder
- Perform the exercise from a high plank (push-up) position to increase the range of motion and shoulder stability requirements.
- Add a 2-second isometric hold at the peak of the contraction when the knee is closest to the elbow.
Frequently asked
- What muscles does the spiderman front plank work?
- The spiderman front plank primarily targets the abs, deltoids, and obliques, and also works the erector spinae and serratus anterior as secondary muscles.
- What equipment do you need for the spiderman front plank?
- The spiderman front plank requires no equipment — just your body weight.
- Is the spiderman front plank good for beginners?
- The spiderman front plank is rated intermediate. Build a base with simpler variations first, then progress to it with light load and strict form.
Related exercises
- 45 Degrees Arms PlankIntermediate · abs, deltoids, obliques, and pectorals
- Alternate Knee Raise Side ReachBeginner · abs, deltoids, and obliques
- Alternate Leg Lift Tap Arms CircleIntermediate · abs, deltoids, obliques, and pectorals
- Alternate Single Leg Raise PlankIntermediate · abs, deltoids, hamstrings, and obliques