When it comes to building your core and abs, the plank is one of the first exercises which comes to mind. It’s because of the simplicity of the exercise and the results it has on the body.
Another reason may be because no equipment is needed to perform planks as it is a bodyweight exercise and the difficulty can always be increased by increasing the duration for which we perform this move.
Hear are The Best Exercise to Do for a Strong Core
The advantage that the plank has over sit-ups and other ab exercises are that they put the majority of the emphasis on the core region and less strain on the lumbar region thus preventing lower back injuries. In fact, according to the American Council on Exercise, performing planks on a regular basis not only strengthens the core muscles but also the muscles of the upper back, thus playing a vital role in reducing back pain.
Well, it does have a lot of positive effects on the human body but there are some negative ones associated with it too. For example, hundreds of plank lovers suffer every year from costochondritis, an inflammation of the cartilage that connects the ribs to the sternum.
The plank is an isometric exercise and isometric exercises are basically not recommended for people with high blood pressure as they are said to raise blood pressure. So, if you have high blood pressure, you should definitely visit your doctor first before performing this exercise. If not, you need not be worried as the percentage of people who suffer from costochondritis is very low.
Aiming to lose body fat? Well, another reason to perform planks is that being in the plank position for a while is said to increase the metabolism of the body, resulting in fat loss. The benefits of performing planks easily overpower its negative effects and also increases muscle endurance and builds awareness of optimal body alignment. Click this link for to see the tutorial video if you want to see the exact way to perform a plank: http://spotmebro.com/planking-exercise-strong-core/
Here’s another resource you can look into: http://travelstrong.net/best-core-exercises/
Here’s a related video you might like:
Are you now ready to have the best core your body can have?