6 Ab Exercises to Heal and Strengthen Your Postpartum Core

An elbow plank should only be performed if you can successfully engage your abs in a side plank.

• Start face down on the floor, resting on your forearms and knees.
• Push off the floor, raising up off your knees onto your toes and resting mainly on your elbows.
• Contract your abdominals to keep yourself up and prevent your booty from sticking up.
• Keep your back flat — don't let it droop or you'll be defeating the purpose. Picture your body as a long straight board or plank.
• Hold for 10 seconds. This completes one rep.
• Do one set of three reps.
• As you get stronger, begin to build up to 30 seconds.