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30 day plank challenge

29 replies

lookout · 24/01/2014 18:09

I'm only on day 3, which is 30 seconds plank, and by 20 seconds I am shaking like a leaf! I find it impossible to believe I will be able to plank for 5 minutes at once by the end of 30 days. Am I doing it right?

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Sleepwhenidie · 24/01/2014 18:14

Probably yes!

lookout · 24/01/2014 18:46

Hahaha Grin, so shaking whilst planking is perfectly normal? And 5 minutes after 30 days, really??? Have you done it, out of interest?

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Sleepwhenidie · 24/01/2014 18:52

I can plank, think the longest I've managed is just over 3 mins, I haven't tried the plank challenge though and don't do it every day. I have no idea if you'll manage 5 mins but you will be much stronger and have a flatter tummy so it's worth a go!

Doyouthinktheysaurus · 24/01/2014 18:54

God yes, planks are really tough!

I'm doing 3 x 45 seconds at the moment. I did look at the 30 day thing but I really don't think I could hold it for much more than 1 minute at a time. I don't think any amount of practice could build me up to minutes at a time.

They really hurt. It's a good kind of pain though, I can actually feel stomach muscles I though were broken foreverGrin

OhTinky · 24/01/2014 18:58

I'm doing it. Think it's a minute tonight but ramps up to 90secs on Monday. Expect I'll be shaking like a leaf!

lookout · 24/01/2014 19:00

Sleep wow, 3 minutes is impressive! Definitely agree it is the best way to a flatter tummy, plus excellent for my lower back.

Doyou, go on, you should give the challenge a go with me! I don't think I could hold it for more than a minute either, at the moment, but am willing to give it a try Smile

I have only been planking on and off for about 9 months, going from not being able to do it at all to about a minute. But haven't done any since the summer really. I love the challenge of it, though I will be really surprised that once a day for 30 days gets me to plank for so long!

Also do you plank on your hands or forearms? I'd always thought it was on the hands but the website I am following says forearms Confused

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lookout · 24/01/2014 19:01

OhTinky well done on getting to a minute! Did you have plank experience (Grin) before starting??

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ConfusedPixie · 26/01/2014 00:14

I'm doing it too! I've skipped today due to drama with a list power this morning and a looong work day, but I'm enjoying it so far, still shaking like a leaf though!

yankeecandlebabypowder · 26/01/2014 19:17

I do the plank & I do 1 min every AM & every PM.

lookout · 26/01/2014 19:54

Yankee do you shake?
Confused I forgot yesterday Blush whoops, only day 4! What day are you up to?

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Salhal · 26/01/2014 20:02

I'm doing it, without looking I can't remember what day i'm on but my last plank was 2 mins and at the beginning I never though that would be possible. It was very hard though and I was shaking!

ConfusedPixie · 27/01/2014 08:59

list power was meant to be lost rat Hmm

I was only on day three! Back to it today, it racks up lots of points on fitocracy and I'm having a competition with DP to see who can get the most this year. He's winning because he runs :( But planking will be my slow but steady income of points!

Doyouthinktheysaurus · 27/01/2014 20:14

I did 1 minute 20 seconds today, it hurt so bad!

I'm really not sure I could get beyond 1minute 30 seconds any time soon. I could do shorter planks in sets though so I'm not sure if I should try the 30 day challenge or just do planks as a mini circuit with squats and press ups as I'm doing now.

I am doing the squat challenge which I'm loving. I find that infinitely more achievable though.

lookout · 28/01/2014 08:36

I hate squats, they mess with my knees something rotten. I know what you mean about the plank challenge seeming less achievable though. 5 mins in 30 days???Grin Grin rest day for me today, onto 45 secs tomorrow, still doable I think!

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SonorousBip · 28/01/2014 08:40

Oooh, that sounds good - where can I find details of this, please?

(I'm currently doing the "how to do a perfect press up" challenge which I got from pinterest. Its going...slowly!)

HalleLouja · 28/01/2014 10:06

I had my rest day yesterday. So back on it today.

lookout · 28/01/2014 11:54

here Sonorous It is good but difficult, and I've only just started Grin

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lookout · 28/01/2014 11:54

Well done Halle, keep up the good work!

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ConfusedPixie · 28/01/2014 12:22

Ah, I'm doing a different one, the one I'm doing incorporates side Planks too. I may try this one too though so side Planks fuck with my wrists!

HalleLouja · 28/01/2014 14:15

Actually got confused today is my rest day [puts feet up except I am off out for a run and pilates later]

StillNoFuckingEyeDeer · 28/01/2014 14:20

I started it on 1st January, so I'm up to 4 minutes. I really don't think I'll make it to 5. I'm already struggling not to sag at the end and I don't feel like the earlier bit is getting any easier.

Doyouthinktheysaurus · 28/01/2014 16:20

Shock 4 minutes!

OMG, I did 1 minute 30 today and I'm not sure I could make the leap to 2 minutes any time soon.

I've only been planking 3 weeks! I'm a long time runner but finally decided I need to work on my core strength a bit. Press ups are getting a bit better, can lower myself down a bit further and squats I find fairly easy tbh.

Planking is just tough!

I did try some other abdo exercises but it strained my lower abdomen too much where I've got a large scar from surgery. My tummy will never be flat because of an overhang from the surgery so my focus is just on improving my core strength for my running and general well being.

yankeecandlebabypowder · 28/01/2014 21:26

lookout not any more when I do 1 min. I have no increased it to 90 seconds and I shake a bit!

BlueChampagne · 29/01/2014 13:05

Is 1 x 5 min very much better than 5 x 1 min?

lookout · 29/01/2014 14:05

I guess the idea Blue is that you build up to longer planks because that is progressing your strength. I think 5 x 1m a day would be brilliant though, I'm only doing it once a day haha!

Did my 45 secs today, still shaking. I'm wondering whether I should try and do it twice a day to see better results. I'd also be more likely to believe in the 5m outcome if I was planking twice a day!

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