Plank

Description

Planks are a great exercise for your core and abs, best of all you don’t need any special equipment so they can be done anywhere that you have enough space to lie down straight in. You may find that it’s uncomfortable on your arms, in particular your elbows, it also helps to do these on a mat rather than a hard surface to minimize fatigue.

Benefits

Planks are a key exercise to improve stability and balance as well as core strength, great also as an assistance exercise and as part of an abs and core workout

Risks

Avoid arching or sagging your back, typically this happens if you move your head out of alignment or try to hold the pose for longer than you’re able to. Once you can no longer maintain good form, stop and rest. If you find you’re unable to maintain position try widening your feet.


While you should avoid doing planks if you have any shoulder or back injury, there may be a variation that could work for you but be careful as with incorrect form, planks can cause injury especially when holding the position for too long.

Additional Information

Target Muscles

Abs

Secondary Muscles

Hip Adductors

Stabilizer Muscles

Back (Lower), Back (Upper), Chest, Hip Flexors, Obliques, Quads

Experience

Beginner (1-2 years)

Equipment

Bodyweight

Exercise Type

Strength

Exertion

30%

Cardio Intensity

30%

Force

Isometric

Mechanic

Isolated

Force Detail

Bilateral

Functions

N/A

Intensity

N/A

Bearing

N/A

Impact

N/A

Utilities

Auxiliary

Workouts with Plank

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