Planking is a Game? Seriously?
By Lisa G. Wright, CFT – ISSA

A new gaming obsession has hit the internet, titled Planking.

What is planking?
Planking is a game… well, of sorts! In this, all you need is yourself, a friend with a camera, an innovative location, and a blog or any other social networking account. With that done, just lie face down, palms straight on the sides, feet together, pointing to the floor, get your photo clicked and most importantly upload it on a social networking website.

Seriously……?
Planking is NOT new to our world as Fitness Professionals. In fact, when our social media intern showed this to us on YouTube we laughed ourselves into an endorphin release! It was Friday, we were tired and two 50 year old personal trainers commenced to planking all over the gym in every way imaginable way. Who needs alcohol to lighten up? We planked on top of stability balls, a rack of dumbbells, sandwiched between a trashcan and its lid and even on top of each other!

Then if I still wasn’t convinced this had become a rage, it was going on in the background of a video that was filmed at my church. I couldn’t believe it! I don’t even remember what the video was about!

Do You Know……?
……the Plank is one of the top 10 most effective abdominal exercises for increasing your core strength?

The plank exercise is a great way to build endurance in both the abs and back, as well as the stabilizer muscles. This move is also great for building strength for pushups, an exercise that requires quite a bit of core strength.

How to:

Lie face down on mat resting on the forearms, palms flat on the floor.
Push off the floor, raising up onto toes and resting on the elbows.
Keep your back flat, in a straight line from head to heels.
Tilt your pelvis and contract your abdominals to prevent your rear end from sticking up in the air or sagging in the middle.
Hold for 20 to 60 seconds, lower and repeat for 3-5 reps.

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