In a plank position, which body part should be aligned with the shoulders?

In a plank position, maintaining proper alignment is crucial for both effectiveness and safety. The correct alignment involves ensuring that the elbows are directly beneath the shoulders. This positioning provides a strong foundation and ensures that the body is held in a straight line from head to heels, engaging the core and minimizing strain on the back.

When the elbows are aligned with the shoulders, it helps to distribute the weight evenly across the upper body. This alignment is essential to avoid unnecessary stress on the shoulder joints, which can lead to discomfort or injury if they are positioned too far forward or backward. Additionally, this posture allows for better activation of the core muscles, optimizing the benefit of the plank exercise.

The other body parts mentioned are not appropriate for alignment with the shoulders in this context. For instance, while the feet provide stability, they play a different role in the overall plank position. Knees should typically remain straight and are not aligned with the shoulders as they are further away from the torso. The wrists are also important but should be positioned directly beneath the shoulders or just slightly ahead, rather than directly aligned. Therefore, the optimal alignment in a plank is indeed between the elbows and shoulders to ensure maximum effectiveness and safety.