Do you remember when Plank-A-Day was a big thing? Yes? No? Maybe so?
Well it was and I feel like it hasn’t been as much of a thing lately and I want to bring it back! I hope you’ll join me and if not, I’m about to convince you because planks are amazing!
To begin with, did you know planks can help with the following?
- Safely strengthen core
- Help improve posture
- Reduce back pain
I think we often think of how they work our core, and sometimes even make them buuuuuurn, but that’s not all. I would also add improved mental capacity, because if you’ve ever tried to hold a plank as long as you can, then you understand how half the battle is the one happening in your head! 😛
If you’re like me, then starting a challenge feels like it needs to happen at the start of a new month, or at least a new week, but I want to challenge you to start today. Start incorporating more planks into your daily routine, you could even roll right out of bed and onto the floor first thing in the morning to get it out of the way. 😉
It’s tempting to share a program, but we’re all at different points so instead, I’m going to share a basic guide I like to follow for myself. I also like to change it up each week by varying straight arm and elbow planks. (For example, I may do straight-arm week 1, elbow week 2, etc).
Day 1: Hold plank as long as you can
Day 2-7: Hold plank for 75-100% of that Day 1 time
Repeat for as long as you want the challenge to last, but I would aim for 1 month.
[ctt title=”It\’s time to bring back the plank-a-day challenge! ” tweet=”It’s time to bring back the plank-a-day challenge! via @iamkatiearnold http://ctt.ec/MTa33+” coverup=”MTa33″]
If you’re really looking to make your core burn, try THIS plank challenge.
Have you ever done a plank-a-day challenge?
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I’m in! I will start tomorrow night as Day 1! Might as well try Bring Sally up Challenge since that looks fun too 🙂
Yes!! Dude, did you try the Bring Sally Up challenge? Are your abs STILL burning?! 😉
I do something kind of similar. I’m doing “the Batman challenge,” which consists alternating days of 3 sets of pushups and climbers with planking and squats. The number of pushups, climbers, and squats increases each day and the amount of time planking increases each day too. I’m currently on day 11.
(Here’s the link if you’re interested: http://coregasms.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/neila-rey-batman-challenge.jpg)
Planks def help with so many things!!! I do planks weekly in my barre classes. I don’t do them daily but I know there would be a great benefit to it!
I hate planks with a passion! But they are SO good for you, that I do them regardless haha. I love the idea of a plank a day… May have to give that a shot!
Rebecca Hicks recently posted…Easy Vegetable Slow Cooker Soup | Fall Recipe Series
I love this! Planking is great!!
I can’t tell you how much I look forward to getting back to abs and planks post baby! I miss it!
We did this in my gym class the other day and I think I got to 3 minutes and 30 seconds. It was tough! But now I’m loving my core. 🙂
I’m in for the challenge!! Love the benefits of planking!
Emily recently posted…5 Ways to Remove Distractions So You Can Get Things Done
Alright! i’m in. I need to work on my planks and this is the perfect motivation!!
Jessica Bradshaw recently posted…Local Halloween Fun + Giveaway Courtesy of Pittsburgh Pilates
Ive never done a plank challenge before but i often see them popping around the internet. We used to do holding straddles in dance class and it was horrendous! good…but horrendous!
Heather @ Polyglot Jot recently posted…WIAW: Fallish Sunday
Isn’t that funny? It was SO POPULAR like 2 years ago and just like all things health and fitness the fad died out a bit…but you are so right, planks are the BEST for total core strength!
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