CHALLENGE POST - Exercise

The exercise that I would like to talk about today is called "Plank".  It requires no equipment, not a lot of time, and you don't have to be at a gym to perform it.  Looks quite easy, but looks can definitely be deceiving....I would like for you all to give it a try and tell me how you did.  

Plank Exercise (see photo above):

Works:  Core
How To:  Assume a push-up position, then rest your forearms on the ground and hold for 30 seconds.  Repeat as tolerated.  

[TrudieC]

I will have to pass on this one due to my shoulder tendonosis.  I did get on the eliptical and do some floor exercises and jogging in place after I saw Kirsten's Biggest Loser pictures.  So inspiring!

[lucindamartinez]

Can't say that I blame you Trudie.  Always best to pay attention to your body and avoid aggravating any ongoing conditions.  Should tendinosis has got to be uncomfortable enough as it is.  

Performed three of these planks myself after my treadmill workout.  Whew!  Somebody remind me to keep the strength training on the off days from running.  My goodness my aching abs!  LOL!  

[gokuangel]

i did read your post but i read wrong lol!! And i did the side planks so my badd! i will attempt that one 2morrow!! Maybe it stills counts, i know the plank is a very hard work out!! good job thnx for posting a great workout!!

[lucindamartinez]

You bet side planks count!  Rock on Lady!  ; )  

[gokuangel]

Great TY! i can only do it on my wii fit though i tried with out the board its alot tougher! but on the game its push up and side plank! pretty hard i did 10 reps and got a 95%! i missed a pushup lol!

[JoyRenee]

Oh..... my...... word.....

I did it for about 15 seconds, twice. I'm so doing those whenever I can!

[lucindamartinez]

That's right JoyRenee....straight off of a boot camp exercise workout that I ran across!  These are great!  Will post some more from that list over the next coming days.  What I really like about this particular list of exercises is that not a single one needs any equipment, they can all be done just about anywhere, and they are all short, but very effective.  I'm going to try to work up to doing the entire regimen (15 exercises) on my days between runs.

[mikeg427]

this is such a great exercise! I love doing it! You can certainly feel it when you're done. I also read that working your abs first in a workout or warm-up helps you keep proper form when working out. So this will definitely help! Thanks for the post!

[gokuangel]

wow i think the Tae bo is kililng me lol!! I did attempt it today man did it HURT!! I was stayed put for the 30 secs but i was off balance and shaky so my trainer (wii fit) only gave me 23%! You got me brave enough to try it Lucinda lol but i need improvement!!

[lucindamartinez]

That's definitely okay gokyangel.....the brave enough to try it is all you though!  You keep on doing it and I know that you will improve!  

Good going Mike!  You are so right!  You will definitely feel it!  

[Barb135]

I've done it on the Wii Fit lots of times and usually get around 85-90% (goku knows what that means).  It is good exercise.  

[gokuangel]

haha yeah i know what that means!! it means you whooped my butt and im outta shape lol!! good job!!

[lucindamartinez]

Maybe it's a good thing I don't have a wii.  I don't have any idea what my virtual trainer would rate me.  Does it give points for persistence? lol!  

[Barb135]

Ok goku - get with the program - I'm 30 yrs older than you are!!  lol  Practice makes perfect - keep working at it.  I know you aren't into the yoga, but it does help strengthen your core muscles, which will help keep you from shaking on the plank exercise.   I'm sure you kick my butt on others!!  

Lucinda - nope no points for persistence - just for doing it right!!  You'd love a Wii.  My phone rang one day and I got off the balance board to answer it and the trainer started yelling at me to "Hey, you come back here!!  This exercise isn't going to do itself, you know!!".  Really had to laugh at that one.  Makes up for the "That's overweight" whenever I weigh in!  lol

[gokuangel]

LOL!! oh you guys are funny!! Lucinda-yes it gives credit it tells u what u need to work on and to keep on trying that yo can do it!!
Barb-yes i know that thats i why said you whooped my butt!! HEY when i first started i could not balance myself on one leg for jack squat thats how bad i was!! I DO believe you about the yoga thats why i make sure and do at least 3 of the exercises everyday!! my favs are the warrior, the half moon, and the sun salutation is my FAV.!!
OMG!! i remember that too!! i do "girl" pushups on the pushup side plank and sometimes the trainer goes have you dropped your hips? lol im like no im trying lady lol!!

[Barb135]

Goku - you're doing great.  You've been an inspiration to us all.  I could sort of balance on one leg before Wii Fit, because I'd been doing yoga for a while, but I was still pretty shaky!!  Some days, I feel like I'm still pretty shaky, but then I remind myself that I'm no teenager anymore either, so I try not to be too hard on myself!! lol.  

I like the warrior, half moon and sun salutation too, plus I like that palm tree one (not sure that's what it's called) and the cobra.  Those are all poses that I'd learned from my yoga dvd, prior to getting my Wii Fit, so they weren't so hard to score points on!!  lol

I've been walking more lately because my neighbor is back from Oregon for the rest of the winter, so have someone to walk with.  She has 1 dog and I have 2 and they need walks too, so I guess you could say we are "multi-tasking".

My poor Wii Fit trainer probably thinks I've desserted her and boy, will she ever chew me out when I come back to it.