Everyone gets bored of ab crunches and sit ups, and to be honest, they are a great workout. However, the plank exercise (a.k.a. isometric holds) can be a much more effective way of tightening your mid-section and toning your abs. Here’s a video tutorial on how to do the plank exercise:
Give it a try for a few weeks. It’s important to note that you probably won’t be able to do this hold for a minute at a time, at least, not right off the bat. So do the plank exercise as long as you can, three individual times in a workout. Take note of how long you can hold it for and chart your progress weekly. You’ll see that you can do the exercise for longer and longer each time!
[…] Isometric exercise: Or “isometrics” are a type of strength training in which the joint angle and muscle length do not change during contraction. Here’s one example of an isometric hold. […]
Hey Andrew
I meant to say that I did the plank tonight! :o)
I’ve done the straight one before, it was on a dvd I used to do with my mate, but I haven’t done the side one. My oh my, that one is really difficult eh? I think I could hold that one for about 5 seconds….lol
Great vid! Thanks!
Tusc ;o)
Yeah, it’s a tough one, but it’s great for toning your obliques. It’s better to do holds, in my opinion because you won’t build out muscle on your side, you’ll just tone them to get a slimmer, more flattering waist.
Hey Andrew
I was going to ask – how often do you think one should do ab exercises to make a difference? I read somewhere that it’s the hardest muscle to tone so should you be working them every day or…….?
Tusc :o)
Tusc,
Well, that all depends on the results you want to see. If you’re looking for serious tone, some people say five times a week. However, the author of one of my favorite blogs, Mark Sisson of Mark’s Daily Apple (who’s got an 8-pack at 54!!!) doesn’t do ab exercises at all!!! He focuses on contracting his abs on a daily basis, whether he’s active or not. I’ve been trying this method out so that I can write about it in a week or two. Stay posted and I’ll do an overview post on abs in general where I’ll address this issue in more detail.
-Andrew
Thanks Andrew, you’re a star!
I’m not after a 6 pack or 8 pack for that matter…lol I’m a girl, if you haven’t figured that out yet….:oD
But I’d like to have a toned stomach and waist, when I lose the fat to see it, that is!! hehe!
I will look forward to you overview
All the Best
Tusc :o)
[…] detrimental towards attaining a desirable looking mid-section. In a previous post, I touched on the benefits of the plank exercise. Rusty Moore’s ab routine consists of, “doing planks for 5 minutes after my cardio […]