Side planks are a great way to work your core, but why not add a twist to spice things up. Adding any kind of motion to a side plank is a serious balance challenge and any time you twist the torso you will be working your obliques and toning the sides of your torso. This move will help you tone your entire torso, not to mention work your shoulders. Needless to say, I love this move.

Details on how to do this variation on the side elbow plank, when you read more.

• Come into a side plank on your right side, with your feet stacked one on top of the other and your weight on your right elbow with your fingers reaching away from your body.
• Place your left arm behind your head, and inhale to prepare.
• Exhale and pull your navel to your spine to engage your deep abs and rotate your left ribcage toward the floor. Stay there for a second and deepen your abdominal connection pulling your navel in toward your spine even more.
• Return to starting position and repeat seven more times for a total of eight reps, then switch sides. Repeat series again on both sides.

If your upper back is tight this exercise provides a nice stretch too. I know it seems like a cruel and perverse way to stretch your back, but think of it as a bonus.