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Original poster

Planks everyday for a month - Join me!

452 replies

Plankingplanks · 19/04/2023 21:46

Hello

Does anyone fancy joining me in trying to tone up by doing planks? I've started today with 3x 20 second planks. I aim to build up to a minute each one over the next few weeks. I'm interested to see the results over a few months.

Join at your own pace, if you can do 3x 5 second ones then join me too!!

OP posts:
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Bubbles254 · 31/08/2023 05:15

Has anyone found that planks have helped them do push ups? I have been doing planks for a few weeks but still can't manage a single push up without curving my back.

PaminaMozart · 31/08/2023 06:11

Planks definitely help, essential actually, but do you also do ab work and weight training?

Check out the video by Redefining Strength

VelvetThunder · 31/08/2023 09:14

Have been very on and off with the planks. Once the kids are back to school though I know I'll be able to get into a routine much easier.

dramalynn · 31/08/2023 12:14

I'm still here. I dropped off but I'm starting again today.

Original poster
Plankingplanks · 01/09/2023 08:32

Right, it's 1st September, shall we have a concerted effort? Just did mine. 😁

OP posts:
PaminaMozart · 01/09/2023 08:38

Just realized I quoted the wrong YouTube video...... this is the one for planks:

This maybe useful too for those who are struggling:

AHugeTinyMistake · 01/09/2023 10:27

Well done @PaminaMozart

I was awake all night, coughing. Turns out I have Covid 🙄

But I am determined to get some planks in later on. Will report back.

Original poster
Plankingplanks · 01/09/2023 12:49

@AHugeTinyMistake juat start with one of however long you can do!! I hop you start to feel better soon

OP posts:
dramalynn · 01/09/2023 14:34

I didn't start yesterday Blush but 1st September is a good time to start so I will do it today!

Original poster
Plankingplanks · 02/09/2023 21:18

Day 2 of Sept... Just knocking mine out after a 12 hour shift!!

OP posts:
Original poster
Plankingplanks · 21/09/2023 21:16

I'm still here. Anyone else

OP posts:
halfpasteleven · 21/09/2023 21:29

Still here but need to get serious about planking.. it's been an eventful month so haven't been focusing on my planks and I do miss feeling better in my head..

Original poster
Plankingplanks · 21/09/2023 22:47

@halfpasteleven glad you are still with me. It's been a busy month here too, so after this weekend I really need to concentrate on my planks. Going on holiday in January so need to be bikini ready!! 🤣

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Bubbles254 · 23/10/2023 15:00

Anyone still planking? After 6 weeks of planks I discovered I could finally do a few push ups last week so really chuffed. The Caroline Girvan 15 minute plank video is still defeating me though!

PaminaMozart · 23/10/2023 17:05

Oh yes, I do at least 5-6 minutes day, sometimes more. Typically the Bowflex 3-minute plank twice over, with different variations. Or half of Caroline's 15-minute plank. Usually only half because I get bored halfway through .

It's way easier to do lots of different planks rather than hold a simple plank for several minutes. I might actually challenge myself to do the latter...

NB: if you are struggling with push-ups, have a look at a tutorial by Redefining Strength.

Original poster
Plankingplanks · 23/10/2023 19:05

I am still here but have got a bit slack recently. If you guys are still with me I suppose I should set my alarm again!! 🤣

OP posts:
AHugeTinyMistake · 23/10/2023 21:18

<sheepishly enters thread>

That bout of Covid really did for my regular exercise habit. It's really difficult to get going again isn't it? Everything fell by the wayside, not just planks.

Did 2 lots today though, determined to get into the habit again

PaminaMozart · 23/10/2023 21:25

So I did one 2.5-minute plank on my forearms, then 1 minute side-planks each side, followed by another steady forearms plank for 90 seconds. I make that 6 minutes.

Plus 2x 12 push-ups.

I could probably have done more if I had done this at the beginning instead of towards the end of my workout.

AHugeTinyMistake · 02/11/2023 12:30

I've restarted my plank challenge programme from beginners but I'm fast forwarding it a bit doing 2x a day.

Original poster
Plankingplanks · 02/11/2023 22:13

Yay. Well done @AHugeTinyMistake I'm back on it too

OP posts:
AHugeTinyMistake · 02/11/2023 22:25

I decided enough was enough. I want my firm midsection back!

RubyRubyRubyRubay · 02/11/2023 22:58

Can anyone sell planking to me? What will it do for me? I've been lurking for months but not started - I need motivating

Are the results quick?

Will it hurt my elbows?

Sell it to me!

PaminaMozart · 02/11/2023 23:17

Planks are one of the most useful and effective exercises.
Planks - especially if combined with other abs work - will strengthen your core.
A strong core is the key to effective exercising - including walking - and overall fitness.
Planks are super-efficient as 3 minutes a day is all it takes.
Try the Bowflex 3-minute plank - take breaks as and when but try to get t 3 minutes, which should probably take about a month.

It's so, so worth it.
This is what I did today (NB: I am 69 years old...)

15 Min Core & Abs Workout / Twenty PLANK Variations - No Equipment

Join me for 20 variations of plank! A strong core can’t be underestimated... all of those squat to press, single leg balancing, lifting and lowering all req...

https://youtu.be/FJjT-FUlXVU?si=NXp7b5jpAqyPS4sk

RubyRubyRubyRubay · 02/11/2023 23:31

Thanks @PaminaMozart !

I didn't realise I could do it with outstretched arms - I was worried about putting weight on my elbows as get painful joints. Will try and see if my wrists can take it.

I also thought I had to do them for ages and I am very impatient and staring at the floor for 15 minutes would be so hard for me. 3 minutes is just about doable.

I'll try tmrw - thanks for the videos

AHugeTinyMistake · 03/11/2023 09:07

Yeah a strong core will really help to stave off back problems and help posture. I run a lot and I noticed when I was regularly planking my running form would hold a lot better when I was tired than it does now. My hips wouldn't sag, I'd be a lot more upright and wouldn't start that hunching over thing.

I started on a very gentle plank challenge programme - it starts on 20 seconds per plank variation - there's a surprising number it turns out. By the end of the summer I was doing 3 minutes at a time.