Get Your Plank On

Do you find yourself constantly in pain? Lower back pain, upper back pain? What about low energy? I’m sure we all have heard how exercise can help with these. If you haven’t...now you know. ;-) Today I'm going to talk to the benefits of adding a plank to your workout routine.

You might ask why a plank? Aren't their other exercises I could be doing that does a body good also?

Yes.

I chose the plank though because a strong core is the basis of everything we do and planking is, quite possibly, the best exercise there is for getting a stronger core. From our posture to other exercises to other activities of daily living. Your core is central to all this…Literally and physically.

So what are some specific benefits though to learning how to properly plank and why you should incorporate them?

As I mentioned, it helps with our posture. When you have a strong core your posture is better. You also have better balance with a strong core. I’ve seen a lot of people begin to lose their balance because they do not have a strong core. Planking, and having that core, helps you maintain your posture and balance which, in turn, helps you maintain their activities of daily living. That's truly the ultimate goal, right? Live our best lives pain free??

As I mentioned, it helps with our posture. When you have a strong core your posture is better. You also have better balance with a strong core. I’ve seen a lot of people begin to lose their balance because they do not have a strong core. Planking, and having that core, helps you maintain your posture and balance which, in turn, helps you maintain their activities of daily living. That's truly the ultimate goal, right? Living our best life while pain free.

Do you have good balance? Check yourself by standing upright and lifting a single foot off the ground. That’s easy enough, right? Now close your eyes.

Make sure you’re near a wall or something to hold onto as you could topple over and we don’t want that!

Next, your midsection tightens. Don't get too excited. If you haven't changed your diet you will not see a six pack. That’s not what I’m talking about here. You will see a difference though in the way your clothes fit and how your stomach looks. You should still change your diet but that's a whole nother topic.

Planking improves your mood (as does exercising in general). Specifically, when we plank, tension in our shoulders and upper back is released because of the position of our body. I have a day job also right now, where I sit for 9+ hours each day. Planking definitely helps release that upper body tension. When you have no tension in your body, guess what happens? You have a better mood. Just go ahead and remove your tongue from the roof of your mouth right now and lower your shoulders from your ears. There… that’s better already, right?

Did you also know that when you have a strong core you begin to have less lower back pain? You might think, but I already have back pain so I can’t plank. That might be true. There are ways to strengthen your core though without planking. If you have a bad back and planking is painful for you then you can also try hip bridges, modified planks, and the correct way to crunch (NOT with your hands at your head at all).

Phew. Okay, I think that’s more than enough for today.

Oh, wait! Did you know you can sign-up now for the 7 Day Plank Challenge?! It’s true, you can. Check December’s Newsletter for when it begins. Signing up now for it ensures you’ll get all the deets! Just click the email icon for the signup page.

Have you planked in the past or currently plank? If so, have you noticed a difference with planking from the benefits I mentioned here? If not, do you think your form could have made a difference? Comment and let me know!