What are Planks?
Planks are an excellent exercise that targets several muscle groups, including your core, back, and shoulders. Planks can help improve your posture, balance, and stability when done correctly. These are also a low-impact exercise, meaning they’re gentle on your joints and can be done by people of all fitness levels.
Let us explore the health benefits of planks and why you should incorporate them into your workout routine.
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Strengthens your core
One of the primary benefits of planks is that they help strengthen your core muscles. Your core muscles include your abs, lower back, and hips. A strong core is essential for maintaining good posture and preventing back pain. Planks work all these muscles simultaneously, making them an efficient and effective exercise.
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Improves balance and stability
Planks also help improve your balance and stability. Holding a plank engages your core muscles, which helps stabilize your spine and pelvis. This, in turn, helps improve your overall balance and strength.
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Reduces back pain
As mentioned earlier, a strong core is essential for maintaining good posture and preventing back pain. Planks can help alleviate back pain by strengthening your core muscles and improving your posture. When you have a better posture, you put less strain on your back muscles, which can help reduce pain and discomfort.
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Increases flexibility
Planks can also help improve your flexibility. When you hold a plank, you stretch your shoulders, collarbone, and shoulder blades. This can help improve your overall range of motion and flexibility.
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Enhances your metabolism
Planks are a full-body exercise that engages multiple muscle groups at once. This can help increase your metabolism, which is the rate at which your body burns calories. When you have a faster metabolism, you burn more calories throughout the day, even when you’re not exercising.
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Boosts your mood
Exercise has been shown to have a positive effect on your mood. Planks are no exception. When you exercise, your body releases endorphins, hormones that make you feel good. So, by doing planks, you’re not only improving your physical health but also your mental health.
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Lowers the risk of injury
Planks are a low-impact exercise, meaning they’re gentle on your joints. This makes them an excellent exercise for people of all fitness levels, including those recovering from an injury. Additionally, planks can help strengthen your muscles, which can help prevent future injuries.
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Improves your posture
Planks can help improve your posture by strengthening your core muscles. When you have better posture, you’re less likely to slouch or hunch over, which can cause back pain and other issues. Doing planks regularly can improve your posture and reduce your risk of developing these issues.
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Possible to do anywhere
One of the best things about planks is that you can do them anywhere. You don’t need any special equipment or a gym membership to do planks. All you must have is a flat surface to get started. Planks are, therefore, a fantastic workout for persons who regularly travel or do not have access to a gym.
