Five Reasons to Try Planks
Planks are some of the most popular core exercises, but some people choose to avoid them. I am here to advocate for them and tell you why you should make them a part of your workout routine. Below you’ll find five reasons to try planks.
They are an efficient core exercise
It is as simple as that; planks are efficient when done correctly. They are simple and not much skill is required, but the benefits are fantastic. It is also one of those exercises that you can improve at fairly quickly. Doing planks on a regular basis will challenge your core and help it become significantly stronger.
Planks help with back pain
A lot of the time, back pain is caused by a lack of support as a result of weak core muscles. Lucky for you, planks can help with that problem. Executing core exercises such as the plank on a regular basis can help alleviate back pain, prevent back strain injuries and provide solid support for your spine. Planks can target several muscles such as your rectus abdominis also known as the “six packs”, transverse abdominis and your obliques. Although these muscles have different functions, they can all be targeted through a variation of the plank.
They engage multiple muscle groups
Multiple muscle groups work together during a plank, and if you’ve ever done one, it makes sense. The main muscles working during a plank include your transverse abdominis, rectus abdominis, obliques, triceps, deltoids, rhomboids, trapezius, lattisimus dorsi, glutes and quads. Other muscles might be activated as well based on the plank variation. The big takeaway about multiple muscles being activated at the same time is that they become stronger and demand more energy. This means your body will burn more calories and your metabolism will improve.
They help with posture
Because so many upper body and lower body muscles are activated for strength and stability at the same time, planks are great for posture. You will notice a positive change in your core and back muscles which play an important role in maintaining a healthy, proper spine position. Proper posture further prevents injury and muscular imbalances in the body.
There is a variety of planks
One of the best things about planks is that they can be so diverse. There are over 40 plank variations you can try at any given time, anywhere, because most of them don’t require any kind of special equipment. You can try a regular plank, a reverse plank, a shoulder-tap plank, a decline plank or even side planks. If you’re looking for a little bit of a challenge you can try a weighted plank as well. You can even test your balance by trying to lift your opposite arm and leg at the same time. The great news is that you’ll end up using a variety of muscles in the body by doing different kinds of planks.
If you have any questions about planks, the variations of a plank or exercise in general, please feel free to reach out to me.