Most people don’t find planks to be particularly enjoyable, but they still are a highly effective exercise for building core strength and improving overall fitness. However, with practice, you may find that you actually start to enjoy the feeling of pushing your body to hold a plank for longer and longer periods of time.
According to PureGym, plank exercise is a bodyweight exercise which involves holding the trunk part of your body in a straight line off the ground. The static exercise engages multiple muscle groups at the same time which makes it extremely effective at strengthening your core, whilst also working the shoulders, arms and glutes.
Doing plank exercises daily can provide numerous benefits for your physical and mental health. Healthline highlights the following benefits of doing Planks daily:
- Improved core strength: Planks are a great way to strengthen your core muscles, including your abdominal muscles, lower back muscles, and obliques.
- Better posture: Strong core muscles can help you maintain good posture, which can reduce the risk of back pain and improve your overall appearance.
- Reduced risk of injury: A strong core can help prevent injuries by providing stability and support to your body during physical activities.
- Increased flexibility: Planks can improve your flexibility by stretching and lengthening your muscles.
- Better balance and stability: Planks require balance and stability, which can help improve your overall balance and stability in daily activities.
- Increased metabolism: Planks are a full-body workout that can increase your metabolism and help you burn more calories throughout the day.
Also see: How to beat the winter workout blues
