2x Former Figure Olympia Erin Stern Shares The Hollow Body Plank For ‘Smaller & Tighter Waist’

Erin Stern has sculpted her body carefully into a work of art over the years. She often takes to social media to share how she achieves her goddess-like physique. In her recent YouTube video, Stern reveals her favorite ab exercise that she coins the “human banana” also known as the hollow body plank. 

“Are you looking for a new abs exercise? An exercise that is going to not only increase core strength but can help improve that transverse abdominis or that internal girdle, which can in turn reduce your waist circumference If you answered yes, I got a great exercise for you. This is also one of my current favorite abs exercises. 

Now, the setup is very very easy. The actual exercise itself is pretty difficult and it requires you to basically turn yourself into a human banana. Curious? Well, let’s dive in.” 

With over 14 years of experience on stage, Erin Stern is a show-stopping Figure and Bikini competitor. Having started in 2008, Erin quickly made her Olympia debut in 2009 where she placed sixth. Stern used this as an opportunity to learn and improve. Upon her return to the stage just the next year, Erin Stern would take gold and earn her first Figure Olympia title. 

Stern would surrender her status as champion in 2011 but quickly regained the title in 2012, making her a two-time Figure Olympia winner. Not only did she dominate the Figure division, Stern went on to test her mettle in the Bikini division where she has continued to find success. 

Erin Stern Demonstrates Her Favorite Ab Exercise That She Nicknamed The Human Banana

Stern frequently explains how she gets her shredded physique on her social media. In her most recent YouTube video, Stern walks fans through her favorite ab exercise. 

“Let’s go through the hollow body plank.” 

“Get your body into plank position. You’re going to start face-down on the floor. You’re going to balance on your forearms and your toes. When you get started, you want your arms to be at about shoulder-width apart with your upper arm perpendicular to the floor, the weight through your toes and your toes/feet can be anywhere from shoulder width apart to completely together. It’s just really personal preference and however you feel most balanced” Erin Stern said. 

“Take a deep breath in and exhaling and think about almost performing a vacuum. So you want to think about pulling your belly button to your spine. This is where the human banana comes in. You want to think about almost rolling your shoulders in slightly, tucking your pelvis in under, and doing that isometric crunch. So really contract your abs and you’re going to breathe through this. Go ahead and hold it as long as you can.” 

As for specifics, Erin Stern advises 2-4 sets and to always hold the position as long as possible, with an aim of performing this routine 1-3 times a week. 

“As far as sets and reps, typically for this one I would recommend 2-4 sets and as much time as you can hold it. So as much time as possible and you want to do that maybe 1-3 times per week.” 

She added that this movement also hits the obliques. 

“This is not only going to strengthen that musculature under the six-pack or under the rectus abdominal or the TVA—it’s your internal girdle. So if you want to really tighten that TVA, this is a great exercise. It’s going to hit that rectus abdominal which is that musculature of the TVA and it was also hit your obliques.” 

Erin Stern has a killer physique and takes every opportunity to share what workouts have led to her success. From her tips to achieve ‘boulder shoulders’ to her easy-to-follow step-by-step guide on getting bigger quads, Stern brings a positive attitude that encourages fans and athletes alike to further their fitness journey. 

Stern has the incredible ability to relay and educate others going through fitness struggles. For example, over the years, Stern has received many injuries and had to learn to work around them. Now, she is able to give her tried and true tips to other athletes, saving them time and stress. 

Erin Stern’s ability to adapt and overcome both on and off the stage has contributed to her becoming a two-time Figure Olympia champion. She has remained active in the Bikini division, and fans look forward to seeing Stern continue her illustrious career within the sport. 

RELATED: Erin Stern Shares Modified Low-Impact ‘HILIT’ Workout for Building Muscle Without ‘Wear & Tear’

You can watch Erin Stern demonstrate the hollow plank at the link below:

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