The Power of Planks

THE POWER OF PLANKS

1. Improve Core Strength

In the abdomen area of the body are four muscle groups, known collectively as the core. These include the rectus abdominis, which give us a “six-pack” when well defined. They also include the internal and external obliques, the transverse abdominis, and the glutes. Keeping these muscle groups strong is important because they are essential for stability and flexibility. Exercising these muscles will help with actions such as twisting and jumping. It is often too easy when working out to miss most of the muscles in this group, so plank exercises make a good complement to your workout.

2. Improves Muscle Tone

A lot of people dream of getting a six-pack; it helps to make for a great look when we are in the gym and it can also mean being able to wear certain clothes that we should not usually wear. It is quite hard to achieve, however, and many people will give up before achieving their goal. If you are planning on getting a six-pack while also toning the rest of your core, plank exercises could be just what you need.

3. Improves Posture

The ideal posture is to be as upright as possible, with the shoulders also held high. Plank exercises can help to correct their posture. This can be beneficial in a number of ways. For starters, a good posture helps to ensure equal distribution of weight, and this will help with movement and prevent too much pressure being placed on other parts of the body. It can also help you aesthetically, giving a more commanding posture, and even help with self-confidence.

4. Back Pain

A lot of people experience back pain. Dealing with back pain can be difficult, but exercising well may be able to help. The main reason the exercise will help to reduce back pain is that it will help to realign the spine. This encourages equal distribution of weight. You should also consider speaking with a doctor if your back pain is bothering you too much.

5. Reduces Injuries

Plank exercises encourage a better posture and, thus, help to prevent injuries. Not only can plank exercises help reduce the chance of injuries in the long term, but they can also do so during your actual work out. A lot of exercises are more demanding on the body and this can lead to injuries. While still effective, however, plank exercises are less likely to lead to injuries, provided they are done right.

6. Improves Flexibility

Flexibility in our bodies is very important. Without sufficient flexibility we will find it difficult to move freely. Plank exercises help to exercise the muscle groups that will help ensure we stay as flexible as possible. This is very important for people who wish to maintain an active lifestyle.

7. Joint Health

As time goes by, our joints begin to deteriorate from wear and tear. This will affect some people worse than others and some people will all but lose their mobility as a result. It can be worse in active people as they are more likely to put their joints under duress. The good news for those people is that plank exercises can help to strengthen bones and joints by helping to encourage the creation of more bone tissues. It helps to ensure our joints are able to move smoothly, while the exercises also help to encourage circulation through our joints.

8. Improves Mood

Our overall mental health is largely affected by our physical well-being. The muscle groups that plank exercises work on are prone to becoming tense, and this tension can contribute to anxiety. Plank exercises can help to relieve this tension in our muscles, and this can help to improve our mood overall. In addition, exercise in general helps to release endorphins. These are “happy” hormones and having them released into our bodies will help to make us feel better about ourselves. In addition, plank exercises will help to encourage overall fitness, and this will also likely improve our mood considerably overall.

9. More Energy

Plank exercises will help to strengthen your muscles. Larger muscles will mean that you burn off more calories even when your body is resting. This can go a long way to helping people reduce excess fat, and it will even be taking place when you are sleeping or sitting at your desk at work. An enhanced metabolism will also make you feel hungry more often. This might not sound like a positive to begin with but, provided these additional calories are burned up, it can be very positive indeed. You can be left feeling a lot more energetic and happier to get involved with activities.