A trainer says this exercise is better than regular planks for building 'upper-body strength and core stability' - all you need is a set of dumbbells

Woman setting up for plank rows exercise at home, smiling on floor.

The plank isn't everyone's favourite, but there's no denying it's very effective for building core strength, full-body stability, and endurance. The only exercise that's potentially better for all the above is the plank row.

This variation uses a set of dumbbells to "combine upper-body strength with core stability", says Mark Harris, a level 4 personal trainer who works with Mirafit. While one arm stabilises you, the other lifts the weights from the floor.