Getting abs takes time and effort, so wouldn’t it be convenient if one exercise alone could sculpt toned and visible abs? Known as a compound exercise, the plank targets multiple core muscles at once and fires up your glutes, quads, hamstrings, shoulders and arms, leading to a stronger body all over — but does performing planks every day build abs?

Below, I explain what it really takes to chisel out core muscles, and why the plank still deserves a place in your exercise routine for more reasons than just aesthetics.

Abs vs core muscles: What’s the difference?

First and foremost, let’s differentiate between abs versus core muscles; when people mention the abs, they mean the six-pack muscles, also referred to as the rectus abdominis. These muscles sit along the front of your stomach, and

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