The Plank

The Plank - Forget sit-ups, this is the best exercise for your abs!

Whether you like sit-ups or not, the plank is the best way of toning your stomach area and improving your core and back strength but without damaging your spine. Find out how to do The Plank here and improve all muscles of our abdomen.

This body weight exercise is not for losing stomach fat, or fat anywhere else on the body for that matter, it is simply one of the best abdominal exercises out there that will help to define and tone the abs and build muscle in the abs and core. The plank is mainly used in yoga and pilates but is becoming more and more popular in other sports and general fitness as well. With Summer approaching the plank can contribute to getting the beach body we all want!

Below is more detailed information and opinion on one of the best abdominal exercises for men and women out there. Learn how to do the plank to improve your core strength and help to tone your abs. This really is an effective ab exercise.

According to the Guiness World Records, the record for holding the plank position is one hour twenty minutes and 5 seconds and was set in December 2015 by George Hood.

A Great Body Weight Exercise

I'm very interested in fitness and health in general and I do try to keep myself fit, healthy and in shape. It is because of this that I read a lot on the internet and in magazines about fitness and health. I am constantly looking for new exercises and trying to find the things that work best for me. Now, there is no miracle method of losing the fat around your waste, you need good exercise and balance it with a good diet. However, the exercise that I will discuss DOES help to tone your abs, and is a really useful exercise for your core strength.

I think that many people would agree with me when I say that I just don't like sit-ups. I don't think that they are that effective, and they are a pain to do, especially as they have no enjoyment factor at all! A while ago I came across the plank, and I have never looked back, a fantastic, effective exercise.

The plank is a fantastic isometric exercise that works the abdominal muscles, including the lower abdominal muscles as well as the core. The plank should form part of our workout as it will help to give definition to our stomach area.

This exercise really works your abs and I would highly recommend it to people wanting to tone their stomach area but avoids damaging your back, as with crunches. Combine all this with a healthy diet and you will be well on your way to a six-pack.

The plank is a great exercise for both men and women and alike. It is convenient and can be performed anywhere, anytime, so there are no excuses!

How To Plank

Practice the plank with proper form

The plank is an exercise that helps develop strength in the core muscles, shoulders, arms, and glutes. To do The Plank you get into the push-up position on the floor, but bend your elbows at 90 degrees which makes your forearms take your weight. Your body should be in a straight line from head to feet. When you're in this position the idea is to hold it for as long as possible.

Aim for three sets of thirty seconds with a minute break to begin with. As we progress we can increase the length we hold the plank for as well as reduce the rest time between sets. Let them abs burn!