We all know how important developing your core is to your overall fitness and health. But when it comes to which core exercise is the best, most experts pick planks over sit-ups.
Each month we pick something to add to our challenge. It can be anything that improves our overall well-being which provides a range of options. This month, the group selected adding a plank challenge to our daily routine. If I'm being honest, I was hoping that it would be something much easier, but the gods were not working in my favor (or maybe they were).
Over the years I've done several work-out classes that ended with an ab segment that included sit-ups and crunches. I personally never had much of an issue doing them. Probably because no matter what size I've been I've maintained a small waist and good core strength, or so I thought.
Eventually the hundreds of sit-ups and crunches done at the end of the class turned into doing planks. So, you just want me to remain in this position for a minute. That's easy. I can do that. Ha! The first few seconds go by and I quickly realized I should have wiped down my sweaty arms beforehand. Soon after, my slippery arms begin to shake, followed by feeling the need to adjust my feet so that my knees don't touch the floor.
Wait! Is that a puddle of sweat accumulating on the mat? How much longer do I have to hold this position? "30 seconds." says the instructor. You got to be kidding me. Only 30 seconds have gone by? Who came up with this exercise? Why is time moving so slow? Maybe her stopwatch is broken. Why am I trembling?
"If you think times flies, you haven't held a plank recently."
And that ladies and gentlemen is the power of planking. Planking has so many benefits. It strengthens your core, improves your posture and balance, increases your metabolism, and burns more calories. Do you recall the shaky arms I mentioned? That's another benefit of doing planks. From your arms to your legs, your entire body is being used in the exercise. Don't believe me? Try doing a plank for 2 minutes.
So, what about sit-ups and crunches? They still have their place, especially for defining your muscles to develop that six-pack. But if I had to choose just one, I would pick planks as my overall choice. But hey, we live in the land of opportunity and choice, so you can always do both. Either way, the goal is building your core strength. So just hit the floor and get going.
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