Benefits Of The Plank Exercise Everyday: Health Trends
Benefits Of Plank: Planks give a better balance of muscles on the front, back and sides of the body during the activity as opposed to sit-ups which target only a few muscle groups.
We wouldn’t disagree if you said planks are boring. Quite frankly, staring at the floor with pools of sweat running down your nose is as uninspiring as visiting a general physician. But planks have now become the gold standard for a balanced core workout. While the classic sit-ups and crunches haven’t fallen out of flavor yet, they tend to be hard on your back. “What sit-ups tend to do is push your curved spine against the floor working your hip flexors. These are the muscles that trace down from the thighs to the lumbar vertebrae in our lower back. When hip flexors are too tight, they routinely tug at the lower spine, which can lead to lower back issues,” say Harvard Health experts.
Planks, on the other hand, give a better balance of muscles on the front, back and sides of the body during the activity as opposed to sit-ups which target only a few muscle groups. A plank is essentially an isometric exercise used to build endurance in the abdomen. Know that our core goes much beyond abdominal.
1. Strengthens core muscles
Planks hit all the major muscle groups of your core, including transverse, straight, and oblique abdominal muscles and the buttocks (glutes). Not will it help you shed fat from your waistline but also help you functionally perform better while performing other activities.(Benefits Of Planks)
2. Reduces your risk of back and spine injuries
Planks help build strength without straining your spine. In fact, according to the American Council on Exercise performing planks regularly reduces back by strengthening the muscles around it, which provide more support for your back.
3. Enhances your metabolism
As a rather simple movement planks are a great way to exercise for people who lead a sedentary lifestyle. Performing them for a few minutes a day can boost your metabolism through the day and even during the night.
As a rather simple movement planks are a great way to exercise for people who lead a sedentary lifestyle. Performing them for a few minutes a day can boost your metabolism through the day and even during the night.
Unlike what some people believe, standing on one leg or even having better balance while walking/standing/running requires better core strength and stability than planking can provide.
Also read: 5 indoor workout tips to get fit
4. Burn more calories than other traditional core exercises
By performing a plank on a daily basis you will end up burning more calories even when you’re sedentary. Realistically, this assumes importance if we are spending most of our time on a desk job. Besides, if you make it a routine exercise before or after work it will not only provide an additional metabolic boost but also ensure it remains high all day long, even when you sleep.
5. Improved overall balance
Have you ever thought about why you keep hopping from one spot to the other when you’re told to stand or hold a position on one leg? That’s because your core was weak and the abdominal muscles weren’t as strong to provide the balance. Plank will not only help you achieve that balance, it will also improve your overall performance in any kind of sporting activity.(Benefits Of Planks)
Also read: Importance of Yoga In Our Life