Plank Your Way to a Sexy You

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Planks are one of the best moves you can do to achieve your desired body shape, along with squats and lunges. They’re very effective if you want to torch your beer belly, and sculpt your (hidden) abs.

They’re relatively easier to do than push-ups, lifting weights, and other classic moves to tone your whole body. You’re basically just holding yourself in a certain position, assuming that it’s correct.

So plank your way to a sexy you with these variations recommended by personal trainer Jennifer Decurtins on Muscle and Fitness:

PLANK YOUR WAY TO FLAT ABS

Very few core workouts are complete without adding at least one or two plank variations into the routine. If you’re like most exercisers, you’ve already done your fair share of this foundational movement. “Planks offer a safe, challenging, and effective way to train both the core and many other muscles, including the shoulders, pectorals, biceps, triceps, glutes, quads, hamstrings, and more!” says Jennifer DeCurtins, a personal trainer, CrossFit coach, and yoga teacher based in Charlotte, NC. To make the plank even better, add in movement, balancing elements, and weights. “In my mind, a plank is anything that includes a straight line from your shoulders to your knees,” says DeCurtins, who put together 101 of her favorite variations of the move in her new book, Ultimate Plank Fitness. “Beyond that, you can think out of the box, since anytime you are holding a front, side, or reverse position you are working the core.” Read more…

Additionally, head trainer and nutritionist Lindsey Mathews shares a few tips and variations on Ideal Shape:

Take Your Plank Workout To The Next Level

The plank is a great exercise for building core strength and stability. Both of these are important for good posture and can give you a toned core once you’ve reached your weight loss goals. Read more…

Lastly, here are a few suggestions (and more exercises!) to make your planks more effective, by fitness writer Kelley Haraughty on Fitness Republic:

7 Tips To Make Planks More Effective

If you’ve ever held a plank for more than 20 seconds, you’ve experienced first-hand one of the best calorie-torching, abs-ripping, core-shredding exercises in existence. What if we told you there are ways to make your planks even more effective? Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, we came up with 7 tips on how to intensify your plank! Read more…

Other uncommon benefits of planks include reduced back pain, more flexible arms and shoulders, and enhanced balance and posture. And since they’re a type of exercise, they can also improve your mood as they help release your body’s feel-good hormones.

Make sure that you are doing your planks correctly. Don’t let your hips, head and shoulders drop, or place your hands too close together. Don’t hold your breath, either. Most importantly, stop trying to hold your position for long periods, especially if you know that your position is incorrect. That will only lead to injuries, and you won’t gain anything at all!

So what are you waiting for? Plank your way to a sexier, stronger you!

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