Whether you’re working on a six-pack, general core strength or just overall health, there is no denying that your abdominal muscles play an important role in fitness. You may be stuck doing the same exercises over and over, so here are five unique exercises to challenge your core and build strong and stable abdominals.

Planks are some of the most popular core exercises, but some people choose to avoid them. I am here to advocate for them and tell you why you should make them a part of your workout routine. Below you’ll find five reasons to try planks.