If You Can Hold a Side Plank This Long After 55, Your Core Strength Is Stronger Than 90% of Peers

By Jarrod Nobbe, MA, CSCS

May 1, 2026

Side planks have a way of exposing things pretty quickly. You get into position, lift your hips, and within a few seconds, you know exactly where you stand. It’s not dramatic, but it’s honest. If your core can hold that stacked, controlled position, everything feels steady. If it can’t, you start to feel the shift right away through your hips and torso.

From a coaching standpoint, this is one of the first places I’ll see gaps. I’ve worked with plenty of people who stay active and move well, but once we get into something like a side plank, it tells a different story. They handle forward movement just fine, but resisting side-to-side motion takes more effort. That’s usually where things start to break down. The side plank helps build that missing piece and brings things back into balance.

This is one of the simplest ways to check how well your core supports you in real-world situations. Carrying something in one hand, stepping off a curb, or moving across uneven ground all rely on that side-to-side control. The longer you can hold a clean side plank, the more confident and stable your movement tends to feel.

What the Side Plank Actually Trains

The side plank hits the muscles along your side that keep your torso steady and upright. Your obliques, hips, and shoulders all have to stay engaged to hold that stacked position. When everything lines up and stays active, your body holds position without needing constant correction.

This is an isometric hold and relies on isometric muscle contractions. What this means is your muscles stay engaged the entire time. It’s also a unilateral movement, which means each side has to carry the load on its own. That helps clean up imbalances and builds strength where people tend to lose it first. You’re training your body to stay level and controlled without leaning to the other side for support. That carries over well to walking, carrying something in one hand, or spending time on your feet.

As you hold the position, the focus stays simple. Keep your shoulders stacked, keep your hips level, and stay in a straight line. Being able to maintain that from start to finish shows your core can stay engaged and do its job without drifting out of position.

How to Set Up a Side Plank That Counts

A strong setup makes a big difference here. When everything is lined up from the start, the hold becomes much more effective and easier to maintain with good form.

How to Do It:

1. Lie on your side with your legs stacked and your feet lined up.
2. Place your elbow directly under your shoulder.
3. Brace your core and lift your hips off the ground.
4. Stack your shoulders and keep your body in a straight line.
5. Squeeze your glutes to help keep your hips level.
6. Hold the position while breathing steadily and maintaining alignment.

Best Variations: Bent-Knee Side Plank, Side Plank with Reach Through, Starfish Side Plank, Side Plank Hip Abduction, Elevated Side Plank.

How Your Side Plank Time Stacks Up

Your time only means something if your position stays consistent from start to finish. The second your hips drop, or your body starts to rotate, that’s your endpoint.

• Under 20 seconds: You’re building the base here. Focus on learning how to stack your body and hold tension without rushing the clock.
• 20 to 45 seconds: This is a solid range. Your core can support everyday movement and hold a position with decent control.
• 45 to 75 seconds: Now you’re getting into strong territory. You can stay stacked and keep everything in place as time adds up.
• 75+ seconds: This is where you separate from most people. Your core stays locked in, your hips stay level, and your position holds without drifting.

How to Build Side Plank Strength That Carries Over

Building a stronger side plank comes down to developing control you can maintain, not just pushing for longer holds. The goal is to keep your body stacked and stable while your muscles stay engaged from start to finish. When that improves, it carries over into how you walk, carry, and move throughout the day without having to think about it.

• Practice side planks consistently: A few sets each week help build both strength and endurance.
• Focus on alignment first: Stacking your shoulders and keeping your hips level sets the foundation for everything else.
• Use shorter, controlled holds: Multiple sets with strong form build better endurance than a single long effort.
• Add movement once stable: Reaches and leg lifts challenge your ability to maintain control.
• Train anti-rotation strength: Exercises like Pallof presses and carries support the same stability.
• Strengthen your hips and glutes: These muscles help keep your pelvis steady during the hold.
• Progress gradually: Add time as your ability to maintain position improves.

References

1. Oranchuk, Dustin J et al. “Isometric training and long-term adaptations: Effects of muscle length, intensity, and intent: A systematic review.” Scandinavian journal of medicine & science in sports vol. 29,4 (2019): 484-503. doi:10.1111/sms.13375
2. Zhang, Wenfeng et al. “Effect of unilateral training and bilateral training on physical performance: A meta-analysis.” Frontiers in physiology vol. 14 1128250. 13 Apr. 2023, doi:10.3389/fphys.2023.1128250