time to start our 2nd week of the plank challenge!
this week, we'll add 30 seconds to whatever amount of time you were doing last week. For some that might be increasing from 60 seconds to 90 seconds, for others you may have started out with a longer time on your planks.
If you are still finding that even 90 seconds of planks is too easy, you can add some variations to challenge yourself.
For example, in your forward facing plank, you can rest on your hands, instead of elbows. Or you can lift one leg and the opposite arm while holding your plank.
Plank with Leg Lift
Start in plank position with your forearms and toes on the floor.
Plank with Arm Lift
Tammy
Hi Tammy,
I wimped, and only did 'regular' planks today: 90 sec front; 30 sec each, left and right.
Jay
Without ice cream there would be darkness and chaos.
MM #6177
I think I'm a little dense... I've been doing 7 sets of 30 second holds, and was thinking of upping my holds by 5-10 seconds each to increase my total time. Any problem with doing it that way?
who says life doesn't have a soundtrack?
Summary of first week:
Mon 3x30 seconds: left, right, forward and back bridge
Tue 1x45 sec: left, right, forward and back bridge
Wednes 3x30 seconds: left, right, forward and back bridge
Thurs 1x45 sec: left, right, forward and back bridge
Fri injuries ouchie, rest day
Sat inuries ouchie, rest day
Sun 1x45 sec: left, right, forward and back bridge
Total for the week: 21 minutes planks (Does that mean I'm good to go for three weeks?)
Goal this week is to be a bit kinder to my ouchies so that I can get all planned training in, including planks every day!
Can I join this week?
Didn't see the Plank challenge thread until last Thursday.
Got in my standard set of 3 X 45 second planks (left side, front, right side) on each of Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Again in the gym this morning...... 3 X 45 seconds, but with alternating leg lifts for the first 20 seconds on the front plank. Will add time tomorrow.
.....Nancy The road to hell is paved....... run trails!
Summary of 1st week for me
plank - 1:00
side plank - 30 seconds each
Started this week off last night
plank 1:30
side plank - 45 seconds each
Hoping to get to a 5 minute plank and 2:30 side planks by the end of the month.
Did 50 seconds forward facing plank and 25 secs on each side.
Remember, what I'm posting is just a guideline. Many of you have done planks before and can do multiple sets or hold your planks longer. Do what challenges YOU. For others that are just starting to incorporate planks and strengthen their core, it might be easier to follow the recommendations I'm posting. This is more about making some type of core workout a daily part of your routine.
If you missed last week, it's never too late to jump in
Tribee - what is a back bridge?
Marathon Maniac #957
OM - I don't see why not.
Two 30-second side planks and a 60-second plank one one leg, alternating foot every 15 seconds.
Life is a headlong rush into the unknown. We can hunker down and hope nothing hits us or we can stand tall, lean into the wind and say, "Bring it on, darlin', and don't be stingy with the jalapenos."
Same routine Saturday and Sunday; one minute forward plank and one minute on each side. One side is easier than the other, which is odd...
Tried to post earlier from my iPad, but it didn't work... "post" button was shaded out, very odd...
3x 45 sec front 1x 30 sec right 1x 45 sec front 1x 30 sec left 1x 30 sec front
4:30 total
1 x 2 min forward plank (I had to drop to my knees a couple of times)
1 x 1 min left side
1 x 1 min right side
I did these at the end of my total run (4 miles) and core/strength training workout (1 hr.) which made things interesting.
Leslie Living and Running Behind the Redwood Curtain -------------
Trail Runner Nation
Sally McCrae-Choose Strong
Bare Performance
1 x 2 min forward plank (I had to drop to my knees a couple of times) 1 x 1 min left side 1 x 1 min right side I did these at the end of my total run (4 miles) and core/strength training workout (1 hr.) which made things interesting.
Interesting as in good or bad? I'm finding I like doing the planks before my run, because they rev up my metabolism and my run feels better overall.
Tammy,
This is a back bridge (without the marching part, that comes later):
MARCHING BRIDGEWith your head, shoulders, and both feet on the floor, push up into a bridge position. While up, begin "marching"—alternate lifting each foot about an inch off the ground, while keeping your pelvis steady and facing straight up. Do three sets of 20 marches (10 on each leg), with a short break between each set.
Another variation is this:
KNEE-TO-CHEST BRIDGEPull in your right knee, holding it against your chest. Keeping your head and shoulder blades on the floor, push up with your left leg into a bridge position while keeping your right leg against you. Push up, keeping the pelvis level, then lower yourself down. Do 12 to 15, then switch legs. Do three sets on each side.
(Excerpted from here: http://www.runnersworld.com/health/move-those-hips)
Both are for building hip extension--glutes are used to hold the position. If you feel it primarily in your hamstring or lower back, you're using the wrong muscles. You should be able to wiggle your toes when you do it.
Completed my set of planks @ 90 seconds each.
January 7 planks @ 90 seconds (1x front, 2x each side)---done
January 8 planks @ 90 seconds ((1x front, 2x each side)---done
January 9 planks @ 90 seconds (1x front, 2x each side) ---done
January 10 planks @90 seconds (1x front, 2x each side)---done
January 11 planks @90 seconds (1x front, 2x each side) ---done
January 12 planks @ 90 seconds (1x front, 3x each side at 30 seconds)----done
January 13 planks @ 60seconds (3 x front, 4x each side at 45 seconds)-----done
Switched it up a bit since weight workouts and other core stuff is back in the regimen