The plank is the perfect isometric exercise for building abs. Add them to your routine three times per week or just get on the floor at home and knock them out daily. You will find that you have a flatter, more toned stomach in mere weeks.
If you ask me whether or not the 2-minute plank every day works, I would say: Yes, they do — without a doubt. But it isn't easy, and it won't happen overnight. If you want to get strong abdominal muscles within two months by doing planks every day for 30 days, then there's no way of getting around hard work.
Tips to Gain Maximum Benefits from Plank Exercise
Try performing the plank for a minimum of one minute at a time. Start by doing 1 plank a day to slowly 3 to 10 a day to reap the maximum benefits. Then, slowly also try side planks which can help improve your flexibility.
Both planks and crunches will strengthen your abs, but planks target many muscles, including your abs, while crunches target only your abs. Both exercises are quick; you can either hold a plank for 30-60 seconds or do a minute's worth of crunches, and both will be impactful.
Doing plank builds muscles and provide support to your back and neck. It also decreases back pain. Performing plank every day will lower the risk of injuries to neck and back.
All in all, I lost two inches from my waistline and four inches from my belly. These results are nothing to scoff at from just 30 days of a one-minute workout. My posture also improved, which speaks to my increased core strength. As part of this process, I realized that consistency is key.
Planks are perfect for burning belly fat because they engage multiple muscles at once, boosting the metabolic rate and benefiting core strength. All in all, a plank is an excellent choice to stimulate the whole body. Overall, a plank is a good exercise for facilitating the whole body.
In addition, plank exercises recruit a better balance of muscles on the front, sides, and back of the body than sit-ups, which target just a few muscles.
Crunch. "The ab exercise that all other ab exercises are measured against is the simple crunch," Weil says. To perform the tried-and-true crunch, lie on your back, knees bent, feet on floor, hands supporting your neck, and slowly crunch up enough to get your shoulders off the floor.
As a general guideline, Doug Sklar, a certified personal trainer and founder of PhilanthroFIT in New York City, recommends striving to do three sets of up to 60 seconds. “It's OK to start with shorter sets and work up to 60 seconds,” he says. Plus, shorter planks can still give you a solid workout, Sklar says.
To lose belly fat, experts suggest that you stick to the goal of holding a plank for about 60 seconds for a minimum of 3 times. According to trainers, following this practice of holding a plank for 60 seconds gives the best results.
How long do you need to hold a plank to get results? According to research by professor and spine specialist Stuart McGill, Ph. D., you only need to hold a plank for 10 seconds to work the core and see results.
It's an excellent exercise that works the entire core, which improves running efficiency (a weak core means you have to work harder to maintain form, which means you expend energy you could be using to run further). You may also feel it in your shoulders and lower back, though I did not.
A plank helps to burn fat rapidly, largely because it can engage multiple muscles at once. No wonder, it benefits the core strength of your body and boosts your metabolic rate to lose weight. All in all, a plank is an excellent choice to stimulate the whole body.
In fact, you can get a total-body workout by just doing plank variations and nothing else. The workout below includes five different types of planks that work your body in slightly different ways. Together, they'll hit most of the major muscle groups in your body.
Crunches:
The most effective exercise to burn stomach fat is crunches. Crunches rank top when we talk of fat-burning exercises. You can start by lying down flat with your knees bent and your feet on the ground. Lift your hands and then place them behind the head.
One of the most effective workouts for love handles is the plank workout as they will tone up your muscles under those ugly love handles and also strengthen your core. Oh, and did we mention how it's also going to give you that sculpted tush, ladies!
Most experts suggest anywhere from 10 up to 30 seconds is plenty. “Focus on doing multiple sets of smaller amounts of time,” says L'Italien. As you progress, you can extend your plank for up to one or even two minutes, but don't go beyond that.
People who lose weight or plan to lose weight wonder how many calories they need to burn to lose 1 kg. According to studies, for every 1 kg of weight loss, 7700 calories are needed, or 1000 calories are lost 0.13 kg.
When it comes to how many planks a day you should do, Doug Sklar, a certified personal trainer, recommends striving to do three sets of up to 60 seconds, so this can be the goal you aim for when you begin your plank adventure. The most important thing in doing planks every day is consistency.