Plank, Count the Ways!

As I hang up my culinary apron this week, I am lacing up my new minimalist shoes (shown in picture and enjoying them) to bring you my all time favorite exercise! Feeling much more at home out of the kitchen and in the “gym”.

I must tell you, I used to think I was in decent shape before I fell in love with this exercise. Make no mistake, this was not love at first sight. You have to work at a relationship and as I did, I began to really know and understand this exercise inside and out. I enjoy a challenge, like to push myself and as always seek out opportunities to challenge my core! Well, I've found it all right! If you are an avid exerciser and value your core, you too, I am sure have performed this exercise many times. If you are a Vinyasa Yoga fan (me too), you are familiar with this move as it is part of a demanding heat-building Sun Salutation sequence.

Today, I bring to your computer, iPad, iPhone or whatever device you use......the Plank! Take notice, not just Plank, you see Plank comes in many different flavors. Starting with basic Plank, the vanilla version. Once you get bored with vanilla, there are a wide variety of flavors and options. Moving up the menu to chocolate, strawberry, pistachio, snickerdoodle, maple walnut, chocolate cookie dough, etc.

Plank exercises are a great way to work all the muscles of the core! A strong core is everything, what cardio is to the heart, core is to your balance, strength and endurance.

Add Plank to your ab/core "routine" (though it should never be routine), see results! How many ways can you find to Plank?  Please share, as these are only a few examples!

Note: Begin with a strong solid foundation first, draw naval to spine, place wrists under shoulders, spread fingers wide, draw shoulder blades down, no winging forward, energize your whole body, lengthen out through your heels and crown of head. Keep you shoulders, hips and heels in one line!

P.S. Check this out! A 54-year old man set a record back in December 2011 for holding plank for 1 hour, 20 minutes and 5.01 seconds!

Lynn MacDonald, ACE Personal Trainer/Registered Yoga Teacher
www.getcorepower.com