I am sure you have heard about the SQUAT CHALLENGE, but have you heard of the PLANK CHALLENGE? 30 Day Fitness Challenges came out with a plank routine for one month. Each day you increase your holding time.
1. TONED TUMMY
Planking triggers the inner core muscles (where you ab muscles are) and makes them work. The longer you plank, the stronger you muscles get, the more pronounced your core will be. To get yourself really building, do multiple sets and different types of planks. Health.com has a great guide for a variety of planks (click here).
**NOTE: To achieve a "six-pack" abs, you need to shed fat. To effectively shed fat, you've got to do cardio. That can be running, biking, swimming, crossfit, etc. You pick.
2. BOOST OVERALL METABOLISM
Simplest way to put it is PLANKING BURNS CALORIES. It burns more calories than a traditional ab exercise, such as crunches. As you plank, you will feel you body being challenged. You'll shake, make funny faces, and even grunt a bit. It's okay. It just means you're getting stronger!
3. IMPROVES BALANCE AND POSTURE
Like previously mentioned, planks trigger the inner core muscles. By strengthening your core, you are able to maintain balance when standing or sitting. By default this improves your posture! The stronger your abdomen becomes, the more corrected your overall form for your neck, shoulders, and back will be.
4. IMPROVES FLEXIBILITY
Flexibility is excellent benefit from doing planks regularly. It stretches all your posterior muscles (shoulders, blades, and collarbones). Simultaneously, it stretches your hamstrings, your feet, and your toes. Essentially you are stretching without really feeling it because all the tension will be in your core!
Conclusion!? Planking is worth it! So join me this month for the 30 Day Plank Challenge. I'll see that core in December! Good luck!
**NOTE: If you don't know how to properly plank, here is the link to the 30 Day Fitness Challenges video tutorial.
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