How can you increase the difficulty of the Side Kick exercise?

Lifting into a side plank and holding the position significantly increases the difficulty of the Side Kick exercise by incorporating additional core stability and strength challenges. In a side plank, the body must work harder to maintain alignment and balance, engaging multiple muscle groups, including the obliques, shoulders, and stabilizers in the hips and legs. This makes it a more complex movement as the practitioner needs to focus on maintaining form while executing the Side Kick from a supported position.

In contrast, merely adding weights to the ankles, keeping the torso rigid, or performing the exercise at a faster pace might not enhance the overall effectiveness or challenge of the exercise in the same way. While weights can increase resistance, they can also compromise form if a practitioner is not prepared for that level of difficulty. Keeping the torso rigid can limit dynamic movement, and speeding up the exercise may reduce control and precision, which are crucial for getting the most out of the Side Kick. Therefore, transitioning into a side plank effectively integrates strength, balance, and coordination components, making the exercise more challenging and beneficial.