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(To note, isometric or static exercises involve putting your muscles under tension without moving your joints.)

As mentioned, planks fire up multiple muscles at once.

Why are planks so hard?

woman sweating in the gym

assistant fitness manager atCrunch Fitness

Plank benefits

Despite its difficulty, the movement is worth incorporating into your workout routine.

Planks offer myriad benefits.

Planks themselves have benefitsas well.

Woman walking on a treadmill at the gym.

Think: sitting, standing, or bending down to lace your shoes.

Additionally,planks improve your posture and help to prevent back pain and injuries.

As if that all werent enough, planks require nothing other than a cushioned surface.

Full body female athlete in sportswear using rowing machine during fitness workout in gym.

Below, Shackleton lists four common plank mistakes and tips for how to fix them.

Before you know it, youll be well on your way to holding a3-minute plank.

The fix:To remedy this, perform your planks on a mat or cushioned surface.

Happy woman dancing and listening to music near a green empty wall outdoor in the city.

assistant fitness manager atCrunch Fitness

This will lessen that tension and allow you to focus on good form, he says.

Plus, pushing yourself beyond your physical limits isnt ideal if you want to avoid injury.

The fix:Modify your plank by placing your knees on the floor.

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How long should you hold a plank?

How often should you do planks?

As for how often to do planks, the answer will vary depending on the individual.

However, youll want to avoid pushing your muscles to their maximum when youre sore.

Plank variations

The beauty of planks is that you might adjust the exercise to your fitness level.

Find eight, which are ordered from easiest to hardest, below.

Forearm plank

Learn to do a forearm plank.

Learn to do a side plank.

Bear plank

Learn to do a bear plank.

Reverse plank

Learn to do a reverse plank.

Plank jack

Learn to do a plank jack.

Plank walkout

Learn to do a plank walkout.

Walking plank

Learn to do a walking plank.

Plank to pike

Learn to do a plank to pike.

Frequently asked questions

What will happen if I perform planks every day?

However, its important to rest whenever your muscles are sore so as to avoid injury.

Should you plank on your elbows or hands?

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