5 min.plank challenge
- Thread starter drifter
- Start date
The plank exercise is no joke! The good news for expediters is it can be done in any truck or van as long as adequate floor space exists. Start where you can and build from there the length of time you can hold a plank.
Planking engages your upper abs, lower abs, obliques and lower back all at once. The benefits of strong core (mid body) muscles are numerous; especially in trucking where core strength protects the lower back and helps keep you safe in the day-to-day tasks truckers do. See: The real-world benefits of strengthening your core.
At our gym, new personal training clients do a plank to gauge their core strength. It is quite surprising how much people vary in their ability to hold a plank. There are seemingly strong men who cannot hold a plank for 20 seconds. There are old ladies who can hold a plank for two minutes or more.
Give it a try. For most people, it takes only a minute or two. Plank once or twice a day for ten days and notice the results. If you have not planked before, you will be surprised by what you see and feel.
Here is a photo showing proper plank form. Pay special attention to the upper arms. Notice how they are at right angles to the floor and are positioned straight down from the shoulders.
Here is a video about 71 year-old Betty Lou Sweeny who, through exercise, lost over 100 lbs., moved from taking 26 medications to just one, and came to hold a plank for over 30 minutes.
For you personally, it does not matter how long you can hold a plank compared to other people. It matters only that you increase your time bit by bit to build your core strength.
Planking engages your upper abs, lower abs, obliques and lower back all at once. The benefits of strong core (mid body) muscles are numerous; especially in trucking where core strength protects the lower back and helps keep you safe in the day-to-day tasks truckers do. See: The real-world benefits of strengthening your core.
At our gym, new personal training clients do a plank to gauge their core strength. It is quite surprising how much people vary in their ability to hold a plank. There are seemingly strong men who cannot hold a plank for 20 seconds. There are old ladies who can hold a plank for two minutes or more.
Give it a try. For most people, it takes only a minute or two. Plank once or twice a day for ten days and notice the results. If you have not planked before, you will be surprised by what you see and feel.
Here is a photo showing proper plank form. Pay special attention to the upper arms. Notice how they are at right angles to the floor and are positioned straight down from the shoulders.
Here is a video about 71 year-old Betty Lou Sweeny who, through exercise, lost over 100 lbs., moved from taking 26 medications to just one, and came to hold a plank for over 30 minutes.
For you personally, it does not matter how long you can hold a plank compared to other people. It matters only that you increase your time bit by bit to build your core strength.
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Do you mean tankard-ing? :beer:
(Why am I not seeing a foamy glass when I insert the beer smiley? )
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Well that was interesting. Just did it for 1 min. Last 10 secs were getting pretty tough to hold position. Definitely feel muscles engaging from everywhereSure looks a lot easier then it is
Good job! Maybe there should be a planking contest at the next Expo!
I surprising felt the effects yesterday on Day 2. I got into position, and thought oh crap I'm not going to last 10 secs this time
But was able to hold it for 5 secs longer for 1 min. 5 secs Have not done today's yet
Edit: 1:10 today. My Abs are like WTH haha.
I'll have to apologize to my ex for laughing at her when she started doing it this past summer. It just looked so stupid and easy
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We should make this one of our Forum Games! Everyone who wants to post your time daily or every other day or whatever.
I will start...wait one
Holy H***!!! about 36 seconds. Long way to go...
I think the last time I used my abs was when my last kid was born in 1986, tho hahaha!
I will start...wait one
Holy H***!!! about 36 seconds. Long way to go...
I think the last time I used my abs was when my last kid was born in 1986, tho hahaha!