Core · Bodyweight
Side Plank Rotation
How to do the side plank rotation, the muscles it works, and the mistakes to avoid. Pulled straight from the Kovo app's exercise library.
- Equipment
- Bodyweight
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Logged as
- Reps
- Movement
- Rotation
- Mechanic
- Isolation
How to do it
Set up in a side plank with your elbow under your shoulder and hips lifted into a straight line. Reach your top arm up toward the ceiling, then rotate your torso to thread that arm under your body, then return to the open position. Keep your hips high throughout and switch sides after your reps.
- 1Feel your obliques drive the rotation as you thread the arm through
- 2Keep your hips high and stable as your torso turns
- 3Maintain tension through your whole side body the entire set
Common mistakes
- Don't let your hips drop as you rotate
- Avoid collapsing into your supporting shoulder
- Don't rush the twist; control it both directions
Muscles worked
The side plank rotation mainly works the obliques, with the upper abs, lower abs, glutes, and side delts assisting.
- ObliquesPrimary
- Upper AbsSupport
- Lower AbsSupport
- GlutesSupport
- Side DeltsSupport
- ForearmsMinor
- LatsMinor
- Lower BackMinor
- Front DeltsMinor
- Rear DeltsMinor
- AdductorsMinor
Kovo programs the side plank rotation for you and tracks it every session.
We build your whole program, drop the right lifts into each workout, and adjust your weights as you get stronger. Free on iOS and Android.
More abs & core exercises
- How to do the ab wheel rollout
- How to do the ankle tap plank
- How to do the ankle taps
- How to do the resistance band dead bugs
- How to do the resistance band pallof press
- How to do the rollout
Last reviewed June 2026.