Women's Journal

Beth Phoenix: Power, Planks, and Paving the Way for Women Everywhere

Beth Phoenix
Photo Courtesy: Beth Phoenix

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By: Molly Peck

Beth Copeland is no stranger to breaking barriers. Whether it was dominating as Beth Phoenix in the WWE ring as a three-time WWE Women’s Champion and former Divas Champion or balancing the beautiful chaos of motherhood, Beth has always embodied strength—inside and out. Now, she’s championing another powerful tool helping women everywhere reclaim their health and fitness on their terms: Pure Plank.

A product born from her husband’s vision, WWE-turned-AEW star Adam Copeland, and his longtime friend and fellow wrestling legend Jay Reso, Pure Plank is more than just a piece of fitness equipment—it’s a movement. And for Beth, it’s personal.

A Busy Woman’s Fitness Lifesaver

For women juggling careers, families, and the ever-elusive concept of self-care, fitness often falls to the bottom of the priority list. Beth understands this struggle firsthand.

“Pure Plank has been a very helpful tool for myself (a mother of two), but other women at home are juggling the responsibilities of family, work, social commitments, and that ever elusive ‘self care time.’ I have to be mindful of every minute of the day and just couldn’t make time to spend 20-30 minutes doing crunches after a workout. We’ve got places to be! Busy women need a streamlined routine to put their time where it matters most to them. Pure Plank can give you core activation…strengthen and tone your midsection and/or be the centerpiece for an entire at-home workout. To me, the biggest appeal is that it can help get the job done fast without the large footprint of a larger piece of fitness equipment.”

For Beth, Pure Plank isn’t just about getting fit—it’s about making fitness accessible for women who don’t have hours to spend in the gym. It’s about efficiency, effectiveness, and empowering women to feel strong in their bodies without sacrificing the other priorities.

Beth Phoenix

Photo Courtesy: Beth Phoenix

Seeing Transformation Firsthand

When Adam and Jay first introduced the idea of Pure Plank, Beth didn’t just see it as another fitness product—she saw it as the key to a transformation she had already witnessed with her own eyes.

“I saw the transformation my husband underwent before my eyes…he carved out time. He cleaned up his diet. He leaned on consistency and incorporated daily plank routines. Then, I saw the entire process AGAIN when Jay started his fitness journey. Both of these men in their late 40s, with a history of years of injury and impact to their spines, achieved visible abs and got into the best HEALTH of their lives. They went from having forced retirements due to injuries in pro wrestling to being at the top of the world. So when Adam told me about this idea that the Pure Plank would help make planking more comfortable and accessible for anyone, I was confident that this would be a product people would enjoy.”

If two former wrestlers with decades of wear and tear on their bodies could use Pure Plank to not only rebuild strength but thrive, then there was no doubt in Beth’s mind that it could help countless others—especially women like herself, who had also felt the physical toll of years of athleticism, childbirth, and daily life.

Planking: The Underrated Game Changer

Beth will be the first to admit that, early in her career, she didn’t fully grasp the importance of core strength and flexibility. Like many women, she had a weightlifting-first mentality and neglected the foundational exercises that could have saved her from unnecessary pain down the road.

“For the entirety of my athletic career, I NEVER properly stretched. I was a devout weightlifter and strength trainer building these strong muscles…taking the falls in the ring…but not buying into the importance of flexibility. My idea of a warm-up was to keep my sweatshirt on while I pressed 200 pounds on a bench! After my second child, my back pain became more prominent. I noticed my flexibility started to become an issue. I began a yoga training routine and spent a lot of time in downward dog with tears rolling down my cheeks because my back hurt so much.”

Through this painful journey, Beth truly understood the power of consistency, core strength, and, ultimately, the impact of planking.

“Planking is a part of my daily fitness routine. A strong core means more than just visible abs. A strong core means your spine is being held in its correct natural curve. After a few months of dedicated planking, my pain improved. My strength improved. It’s given me more endurance to do the fun stuff. I bike ride pain-free. I have snowball fights with my kids. I can carry laundry baskets pain-free. That’s been the biggest gift for me.”

Beth’s Go-To Pure Plank Routine

She keeps it simple but effective for those wondering how a wrestling powerhouse like Beth Phoenix utilizes Pure Plank.

“Because I’m a couple of years in (what I would consider a high fitness level)…I do about 10 minutes of work on the Pure Plank. However, I started on my knees at about 45 seconds. I couldn’t even do a minute! With time, I have continued to challenge myself with this simple board.”

Her typical 10-minute Pure Plank workout:

  • 2-minute stable plank (on knees if needed, elbows below shoulders)
  • 4 minutes of rotating intervals:
  • 30 seconds of mountain climbers
  • 30 seconds of rotating side planks
  • 30 seconds of side bent knee curls
  • 30 seconds of transitioning from high plank (hands) to low plank (elbows)
  • 2 minutes of in/out toe taps or heel raises
  • 2-minute finisher: stable plank

“Trust me! You’ll be sweating!”

Beth Phoenix

Photo Courtesy: Beth Phoenix

Beth’s Message to Women: Own Your Power

For Beth, Pure Plank is more than just a workout tool—it’s a symbol of resilience, strength, and self-empowerment. And if there’s one message she wants to pass on to women everywhere, it’s this:

“Don’t let others’ opinions inform you on your opinion of yourself. KNOW YOUR POWER. If you encounter judgment or criticism, know that it comes from the fear and jealousy of those who don’t have the courage to chase their own dreams. Keep going.”

Beth’s story is one of evolution—from wrestler to mother, from weightlifting powerhouse to yoga-certified wellness advocate. And as for stepping back in the wrestling ring?

“It’s a well-known fact that pro wrestlers are TERRIBLE at retiring.”

Beth Phoenix

Photo Courtesy: Beth Phoenix

What’s Next for Beth, Pure Plank, and Family?

2025 is shaping up to be a milestone year for the Copeland family.

“HUMBLE BRAG. My husband was nominated for an EMMY for his role in Percy Jackson (Best Supporting Role)!! We are taking our children to the event and will revel in this spectacular, chaotic, beautiful, unique life we have built. I was certified as a yoga instructor and will be building a business sharing wellness strategies. We’re just your everyday, low-key, average pro wrestling family!”

From the ring to the yoga mat, from raising strong daughters to empowering women worldwide, Beth Phoenix continues to inspire. She’s proof that strength comes in many forms—not just in championships won but in the battles we fight daily for our health, happiness, and future.

And with Pure Plank by her side, she’s ensuring that women everywhere have the tools to fight—and win—those battles, too.

 

Published by Art B.

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