Plank Challenge

Plank Challenge:

The plank is one of the best exercises for your core. It builds strength to sculpt your core and improve posture. Also works arms, shoulders, glutes and hamstrings.

You can do the plank on your forearms or straight arms. To do the forearm plank, lay on your stomach propped on elbows, hands flat on floor, tuck toes and lift body off floor so it is parallel to the floor. Tighten your muscles, glutes, thighs, pull belly button in. Keep neck in line with your body. To do the straight arm plank, you straighten your arms like doing a push-up.

What are the benefits of planks?

Planking exercise benefits not just your core but your glutes as well, if done correctly. Planks help flexibility. This form of exercise stretches posterior muscles such as shoulders, shoulder blades, collarbone, also stretching hamstrings, arches of your feet and toes.

Do planks help flatten your stomach?

Strengthening your core muscles is crucial in everyday movements. Reduces back pain and improves posture. Planks burn more calories than sit-ups or crunches because you are using muscles in legs, arms and rear as well.

PLANK CHALLENGE:

I challenge you to the 30 day plank challenge. Day 1 Hold the plank for 20 seconds, day 2 hold for 25 seconds, day 3 hold for 30 seconds. Day 4 take a break. By the end of the month I want you to work up to 60 seconds. If you can already hold for 60 seconds, work your way up to 2 minutes.