This article originally appeared in Shape.
When your online or IRL fitness instructor tells you to drop to the ground and power through a round of mountain climbers, it's difficult not to let out a dread-filled sigh. The plank position puts your abs through the wringer, the cardio leaves you breathless, and by the end of the round, your shoulders feel like they're on fire.
But what makes mountain climbers so difficult and despised is the exact reason why you should add them to your routine, says Ashley Joi, a certified personal trainer and Isopure Athlete. "It's good for your lungs, heart, and so many bigger muscle groups in your body," says Joi "It's a very beneficial exercise that people should incorporate more into home workouts, bodyweight workouts, and warm-ups."