Plank Exercise – Variation

The plank exercise is excellent in building up your core strength.  Because so many sit at a computer desk all day doing planks is a good way to improve your posture and increase your low back stability. For this reason, I do not suggest people have crunches in their workout routines. It creates spinal flexion which isn’t good for your either your posture or low back. The crunch exercise doesn’t give you much function to begin with.  It’s simply an exercise that’s been in the industry too long!

Having said that.  I have shown different planks in videos and off the forearms/toes position.  Today I wanted to show you a variation which will increase the intensity of the exercise.

Laying flat on the ground with your elbows under your shoulders, push your weight up so the whole body is parallel to the ground.  Once you are set into the plank position, lift one foot off the ground and bring the leg out to the side.  This will vary up the exercise and make it harder! Make sure you don’t let the hips tip or low back sag.  Brace your abs and fight the instability.  Bring the leg back to starting position and switch sides.  Do until your low back kicks in as this would indicate core fatigue!

Again, planks are a great way to develop core strength and this is a nice variation to make it more difficult!

Enjoy your weekend!