6 Reasons Why Planks May Be More Beneficial To Your Body Than Sit-ups
- Ayo AL
- October 30, 2017
- Health
- Benefits Of Planks Exercises To The Body, Planks Vs Situps, Planks: Abdominal Benefits, why planks are better for the stomach region than sit-ups
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Sit-ups and crunches might be routine exercises recommended over the years to strengthen your core, but maybe it’s time to ditch these exercises for the sake of the rest of your body.
Stationary exercises like the plank build muscle that prepares you for daily strength testing activities such as lifting, hauling, pulling or dragging.
Unlike a sit-up, a plank engages multiple muscle groups, including your those in your upper back, your transverse abdominis, your rectus abdominis — the six-pack of muscles in your abs — your obliques and even some muscles in your upper thigh.
Planks target more of your muscle groups without straining your back or lower spine. Planks mimic your natural movement and alignment-ears above shoulders and hips above ankles-, whereas sit-ups and crunches force you into postures you don’t want to be conditioned into every day.
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1. Reduce Back Pain
Planks work for back pain because they strengthen your core, which has the pleasant “side effect” of reducing back pain. They also strengthen your back muscles, especially those in your upper back.
“Because the plank exercise requires minimal movement while contracting all layers of the abdominal fascia, it is an excellent way to strengthen the core, which, in turn, helps reduce low-back pain.”
2. Flexibility
While building strength, planks also increase flexibility in your posterior muscle groups. The muscles around your shoulders, collarbone, and shoulder blades will expand and stretch (an area that often receives little attention), as will your hamstrings and even the arches of your feet and your toes.
If you do a side plank, you can also stretch out your sides (especially if you extend your arm up over your head in line with your body). To increase the stretching benefits, try a rocking plank – once in basic plank form, rock your body back and forth by moving your toes a few inches either way.
3. Improves Posture
Since planks work on all the muscles of your core it helps your ability to stand straight and maintain better posture because the muscles of your core are vital for your overall posture.
4. Improves your mood
Although most exercises are capable of boosting your mood, the strengthening and stretching effect of planks help release muscles that have become stiff from prolonged sitting. The release of tension relaxes and helps de-stress.
5. A Toned Belly
Planking will help build your deep inner core muscles that lay the groundwork for that six-pack look. As your abdominal muscles become stronger, your mid-section will tighten.
Watch this easy breezy video on how to do the plank exercise
