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by Lottie Olson

Please copy/paste the following text to properly cite this How Stuff Works article:

Olson, Lottie. "Total Body Warm-up Exercises." 01 August 2007. HowStuffWorks.com. <http://health.howstuffworks.com/total-body-warm-up-exercises.htm> 06 July 2008.

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How to Do a Plank

Holding the plank position helps you get the most out of this total body warm-up exercise. Remember to keep your back straight to help prevent injury.

This total body warm-up exercise

Step 1
Get body into plank position by placing hands under shoulders as if getting ready to do a pushup.

Step 2
Contract your abs and lower back.

Step 3
Make sure to keep your back straight.

Plank total body warm-up exercise.

Step 4
Hold this position for 20 to 30 seconds.

For more great exercises to improve your strength and fitness, check out:

This information is solely for informational purposes. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. Neither the Editors of Consumer Guide (R), Publications International, Ltd., the author nor publisher take responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, exercise, dietary modification, action or application of medication which results from reading or following the information contained in this information. The publication of this information does not constitute the practice of medicine, and this information does not replace the advice of your physician or other health care provider. Before undertaking any course of treatment, the reader must seek the advice of their physician or other health care provider.

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Abdominal Bloating Abdominal Fullness Prematurely Afte... Abdominal Lumps Abdominal Mass Abdominal Pain Abdominal Rigidity Abdominal Sounds Abdominal Swelling Abnormal Posturing Abnormal Tooth Shape Abnormally Dark Or Light Skin Absent Menstruation Absent Thirst Agitation Ambiguous Genitalia Ankle Pain Appetite Decrease Appetite Increase Apraxia Arachnodactyly Armpit Lump Autistic Behavior Babinski's Reflex Bed Wetting Belching Binge Eating Blackheads Bleeding Gums Bleeding Into The Skin Blindness Blockage Of Leg Arteries Blood In The Semen Blood in Urine Bloody Or Tarry Stools Bone Pain Or Tenderness Bounding Pulse Bowel Incontinence Breast Lump Breast Pain Breath Odor Breath Sounds Breathing - Slowed Or Stopped Breathing Difficulty Breathing Difficulty When Lying Dow... 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