Indeed, sometimes this exercise, when performed regularly, can be much more effective than training with a simulator, and it does not require any costs. Its essence is that you need to stand on your hands and feet for several minutes, periodically changing your position.
The plank involves working several muscle groups at once, due to which you can pump up your body and become much more resilient. But this does not mean that after the first exercise you will become slim and strong. On the contrary, at first all the muscles will hurt. And that’s okay. Naturally, the body will need more than one week to get used to the new load. But within a month you will feel a lightness in your body that you will not want to part with.
What’s the benefit?
1. Normalizes the spine and back muscles.
When performed correctly, this exercise can solve many back problems. How is this correct? You should not feel light – this means your actions are useless, your muscles are not tense. The plank unloads the spine, especially in the upper back. Make sure that your lower back does not sag and your hips do not stick out.
2. Teaches you to maintain balance and develops flexibility.
If you cannot stand on one leg for a minute, it means that you now have weak abdominal muscles. The plank will teach them to control, although it seems that one has nothing to do with the other. When performing planks, muscle groups are stretched and expanded. Shoulders, collarbones, shoulder blades, feet and even fingers work.
3. Strengthens the abdominal muscles.
Despite the fact that in the plank you don’t actually need to pump up your abs, as we are used to, this exercise tenses all the major muscle groups. If you regularly stand in the plank, after a month of training you will feel how the transverse, rectus, oblique abdominal muscles and buttock muscles are strengthened. This is the perfect abdominal exercise!
4. Increases metabolism.
If you complain that even a small piece of cake adds a couple of extra pounds to you, or feel that you have begun to gain weight due to a sedentary lifestyle, then the plank will allow you to increase the amount of energy produced by the body. This means it will improve metabolism. And the most interesting thing is that now even in your sleep you can lose extra calories.
5. Fights stress.
Stress is caused by overworked muscles and general tension in the body. The plank removes all this. With a sedentary lifestyle, your legs swell, your back starts to hurt, you constantly slouch, and as a result, by the end of the day everything starts to irritate you. Planking will keep you from feeling bad throughout the day, and it can even prevent symptoms of anxiety and depression.
