Whether you’re a gym buff or not, you’re probably familiar with the plank—that core-strengthening, endurance-building exercise that every trainer and athlete swears by. It’s the kind of deceptively simple move that delivers real results, fast. But even the most reliable exercises can start to feel stale, and the classic plank is no exception. That doesn’t mean you should ditch it altogether—it just means you can level it up. And one of the most effective (and surprisingly accessible) ways to do that is by taking the plank off the floor and flipping it vertically.

This variation adapts the traditional plank into a handstand-conditioning exercise that demands more from your entire body. Getting your feet onto a wall instantly increases the difficulty while removing any chance of cheating your core engagement—lose that tension and you’ll know it immediately. By shifting the plank into an inverted position, you recruit more muscles in your arms, shoulders, back and rotator cuffs, turning the move into a full upper-body challenge. The best part? It only takes a few minutes to feel the burn, and the payoff is major. This one tweak will tone and strengthen everything from your hips to your head, making it a smart upgrade to a tried-and-true staple.