The Plank is one of my favorite exercises in the Gym. Here’s my write-up cross-posted from Aches & Joints.
The core is commonly thought of as only your abs, but consists of multiple muscle groups in your abdomen, back and pelvis. Core muscles are engaged during all activities requiring a coordinated movement of the upper and lower body. They generate the force and power required for many activities, while simultaneously playing a foundational role in stabilizing the torso.
Our modern sedentary lifestyle does nothing to working these important core muscles and over time result in their weakening, and the consequent injuries from seemingly simple tasks.]
There are various ways to strengthen these core muscles. The PLANK, for instance, is easy to perform, effective and appropriate for any age and fitness level. With no special equipment, the plank can be performed on a carpeted floor or mat in your living room, in the gym between sets of other exercises, or at the end of a workout. Also, the plank literally only takes a minute!
In performing the plank, you hold a steady position by isometrically contracting the deep stabilizing abdominal muscles (transverse abdominus), while keeping the lower back (erector spinae and multifidi) stable, fighting fatigue and simultaneously building endurance. This exercise is not appropriate if you have any shoulder weakness or injury.
Step by Step: How to perform and hold the Plank
- Have a wrist watch or clock nearby to track time
- Start with palms on the floor, shoulder distance apart (see above), then lower to forearms only with and elbows directly below the shoulders as demonstrated below
- It may be easier for many to start with knees and elbows on a mat
- Extend legs back, one at a time, straightening the knees and balancing on your toes
- Keep your body straight as a plank (see below)
- Relax your neck and look down at the floor
- As you fatigue, there will be a tendency for your hips to sag. Squeeze your deep abdominal muscles and glutes, and hold your hips in line with the rest of the body
- For starters, hold the position for 30 seconds and work up to 60 seconds or longer
- Rest on your knees; when ready, repeat plank for two additional sets
For a more challenging workout: In the plank position, alternately lift and move each leg outwards (see demonstration below)
The Plank was demonstrated by Julie Schlenkerman, certified personal trainer at the Clubs at Charles River Park, Boston, MA.
Julie is an avid runner and ran the 2009 Boston Marathon in 3:16:14!
Here is wishing Julie the very best for the Boston Marathon tomorrow.
Run Julie Run!
From My Archives: Simple exercises & Related articles
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If you are active in sports, you may have experienced discomfort or soreness in your Achilles (uh-KIL-eez) tendon at one time or another, or you may have heard one of your friends complain about Achilles tendonitis. The Achilles tendon connects the large calf muscles to the back of your heel. If you trace your finger along the back of your leg staring at the heel and moving upward toward the knee, you will appreciate both the Achilles tendon as well as the calf muscles, which pull on it from above. 
Arun Shanbhag 