At some point in our lives, we have all heard of the plank and how simple it may sound, but the "core" is difficult.
Plank is the perfect full-body exercise that not only helps develop your abdominals, but also helps tone your ass, thighs, back, and arms. All you need is 1 minute of your normal time every day to work on those muscles. Simple, huh? With the 21-day plank challenge, it isSo let's break it down and get started every week!
Day 1, Week 1
Start by fixing your form, since the shape either creates it or destroys it when it comes to doing planks. From head to heels, the body should be straight like an arrow.
First, with your feet hip-width apart, begin by standing up straight. Next, tell someone to knock you off balance gently and carefully. In order for you not to fall down, try to feel what muscles need to be engaged. When you are trying to do a plank, this is the same feeling you should get.
Perfect your shape by first lying on your stomach and positioning your forearms or hands directly under your shoulders, whichever you want. Come up on your toes, then, and pinch your rear. For 5 to 10 seconds, keep the spot.
Start the timer and aim for 30 to 40 seconds or maybe longer to maintain the plank pose. Drop your knees to the floor for just a few seconds if you need to rest.
Day 2 — Week 2
Then, keep the plank for 30 seconds, then rest for 5 seconds in the "Downward Dog" position, then return to the plank and hold it for an additional 15 seconds or more, if you can.
Try to hit the minute mark after this. Keep the plank for 45 seconds, rest in the pose of "Downward Dog" and then do another plank for 15 to 30 seconds.
Try holding the plank for a minute and a half after you've managed to stand for one minute. First, if you need it, go for one minute, rest in the "Downward Dog" role, then go for 30 more seconds.
Week Three
You're allowed to turn it up a bit during week 3. Master one by one the variations presented below, which implies doing each of them for one minute. Then try to do them with as little rest as possible in between, eventually aiming to complete all three back to back.
The first variation would cause the center of your mass to be shifted. Drop the right hip, beginning with the forearm plank, so that the right thigh touches the floor. Then, go back to your previous position and drop your left hip. Again, say it. If your hands are doing it, the thighs will not hit the floor.
By stretching the right arm straight in front of you and parallel to the floor while holding the shape correct, measure your balance. Return to the place of the ordinary plank and then stretch the left arm. For both legs, repeat.
Modify the levels. Start on your forearms with the plank. Get up on your right side, then on your left, so that you're positioned in a high position on the plank. Return to your forearm on the right, then to your left. By flipping the weapons, repeat.