Inchworms

Muscles worked: Abs & Core, Chest · Also: Triceps, Legs & Glutes, Glutes & Hips, Shoulders

Inchworms are a slow full-body warm-up: from standing, you fold forward, walk your hands out to a plank, hold briefly, then walk your feet toward your hands and stand up.

Keep your legs as straight as you comfortably can while walking your hands out, and brace your core in the plank before walking back. Move slowly — the inchworm is a stretch and a strength move in one, and rushing it wastes both.

How to do it

1. Stand tall, then fold forward and place your hands on the floor.
2. Walk your hands out to a plank, keeping your legs as straight as you comfortably can.
3. Brace your core in the plank and hold briefly.
4. Walk your feet toward your hands, then stand up.
5. Move slowly — rushing wastes both the stretch and the strength work.

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Programs that include it

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General fitness information only, not medical advice. Stop if an exercise causes pain, and talk to a doctor before starting a new workout routine if you have a health condition.