Plank Exercise Benefits to Enhance Your Workout

So you’ve tried cardio, weight training, plyometrics, martial arts, sports, and more – but you’re still looking for a new challenge or untapped method for enhancing your physique. The answer is actually simpler than you think. It’s not about doing more reps or heavier weight or pushing harder… it is about doing less and finding the plank workout exercise benefits that you can achieve with only using your bodyweight.

Plank workout exercise benefits for beginners

If you’ve spent any time doing yoga or Pilates, you already have an inkling of what we’re talking about the plank workout exercise benefits. Exercises like plank position, downward dog, or any other poses where muscles must maintain a specific angle or balance engage muscles in eccentric and isometric contractions.

Eccentric contractions lengthen muscles as they overcome a challenge or force. In the case of stillness and stability plank exercises, the force being overcome is usually gravity or the body’s own weight. With repetition and practice, the body gets stronger and leaner at the same time. Similarly, isometric contractions maintain the muscle at a constant length as weight or force against the muscle matches the effort the muscle must put forth to resist or overcome the challenge. Again, the result is leaner, rather than bulky muscles. Great plank exercise benefits.

Not sure lean muscle has the aesthetic benefit you want?

Consider this – lean muscle often shows definition and detail a lot faster than just plain bulk. As well, with less bulk, you’re more likely to find yourself with better cardio endurance, more flexibility, better balance, and less risk of injury. If you’re struggling for those last couple inches around your waist, or looking more cut and defined in your shoulders, arms, and back, try a couple of the following moves: for plank exercise benefits.

The Standard Plank workout exercise:

The standard plank is one of the great planks for beginners starting in the push up position, with arms extended. The key is to keep your shoulders, hips, and ankles in a straight line with one another. You will feel the effort in your shoulders and core muscles. plank exercise benefits

The Plank Chair exercise:

Either with the aid of a wall or on your own strength, lower your body into a seated position, as if in a chair. Try to get your legs into as close to a 90-degree angle as possible. Hold while keeping back almost vertical. Effort will be in your lower back and quads.

The Lunge exercise:

Feel the full plank workout exercise benefits by adding the lunge plank exercise to your workout routine. To start bend front leg to 90 degrees while extending other leg completely behind the body. Keep back leg straight and the toes planted against floor. Hold the hands against the hips or extend arms out to the sides. You will feel the challenge in your quads, glutes, and lower back.