3 Benefits of the Plank Exercise
1. Strengthens Your Core – The plank exercise is a great way to strengthen your core muscles, which helps support your entire body. When you perform the plank exercise, you engage the abdominal, hip, and lower back muscles to help keep your body in a straight line. This helps build strength in these key muscle groups and can help improve overall athletic performance.
2. Improves Balance and Stability – The plank exercise also helps with balance and stability. When you hold the plank position, your body has to work to keep balance in order to remain in the same position. This helps you to become more aware of your body and also helps to improve your body’s coordination. The plank exercise also teaches your body how to better control your movements and shifts in balance, which can be beneficial when playing sports or engaging in physical activities.
3. Improves Posture – Doing the plank exercise on a regular basis can help improve your posture. Poor posture is often the result of weak core muscles and weakened spinal erectors. By doing the plank exercise, you are strengthening the muscles in your core and back, which will help you to maintain an upright posture.
How to Perform the Plank Exercise:
1. Begin by lying on your stomach and placing your forearms on the ground in front of you, elbows directly beneath your shoulders.
2. Rise up onto your toes and tighten your abdominals and glutes.
3. Keep your body in a straight line from your shoulders to your toes. Don't allow your hips to drop or your head to lift up.
4. Hold the plank for 20-30 seconds, then rest for 30 seconds. Repeat for 2-3 sets.
5. As you get stronger, you can increase the length of time you hold the plank.