Do not under estimate the power of plank work

B

Boybert

Cathlete
You know, before I started Cathe, it never even crossed my mind that holding a plank would work the core as hard as it does. I thought that ab work generally meant some variety of crunches. With Cathe I learned such a broad scope of ways to work your core, but have an utmost respect for plank work. Nothing quite burns my core like it...and I am amazed how much I have improved in strength. After doing S&H chest/back/abs, it made me have this thought. Wondering what you all think.

http://www.smileys.ws/smls/sport/00000053.gif aren't I pumped????



"you miss 100% of the shots you never take"


Debbie
 
Same here. First did planks with Cathe, then I started pilates & my core is now officially, totally awake! :) It's definitely given my abs more definition, plus the pilates has had a very positive effect on my other workouts. Using that core awareness with things like pull ups is so amazing--I can't figure out how but I can feel my core lifting my chin to the bar. And other stuff like squats, bench presses, etc..........I was skeptical & I delayed & I stalled but now I'm so glad I tried it!

And I wouldn't have tried it if it weren't for the ladies in this forum, so I guess I owe you all a big thank you!!!!!!!! ;-)
 
DH is a skydiver but he hadn't gone diving in about 10 years. He had to take some refresher courses and one of the first thing they suggest for core work is planks :)

Colleen
 
There's a CTX workout (All Step, I think) where at the end, Cathe says something like, "Are you with me, or are you just sucking water and staring at me?" That's what I was doing the first time I did planks. Couldn't hold them. And when she came up with pikes on the ball, I'd just sit there, suck my water and stare. Same with levitation holds. But I was able to do them all eventually. I did have to put the water away and get my butt moving.:p

Pinky
 
I agree with you. I can balance myself like never before. I have gone skateboarding with DD and her friends and they all thought I would fall off...yeah, right..NEVER! I can do dance moves that make you wonder when I am going to land on my butt...NEVER! I ain't falling now unless someone pushes me! I tell you those planks will keep your core strong as steel if you keep doing them...trust me!!!!!

Charlotte~~
 
Will is really happen someday?! I look at my weak, smooshy stomach (4 months post partum) and wonder...

Could I come to your house and workout with you?! Maybe it will rub off on me!
 
I remember when I first started doing planks (with Aaron Lankford's "Power Kicks" workout). I couldn't hold them as long as the instructor did. They were HARD, HARD, HARD! Last time I did the same workout, I was able to hold through BOTH sets of them (when they went down for a break, I stayed up).

It's sometimes easy to forget how challenging some moves are to do when you aren't used to them. And anything that's that challenging, IMO, has GOT to be doing something!
 
Hey LauraMax:

What DVD of Pilates do you do? I'm still wondering what to get to get started doing some Pilates.

Thanks,
Marcia
 
I have seen a great improvement in my posture and balance since doing planks work. When I get ready to do a weight lifting set, I automatically engage my core and I can really concentrate on the muscle being worked. I am hooked on core work now. Planks and Pikes on the ball are easy now. I can't beleive it, I though I would never master them. What's next Cathe, I am ready!!!! Alicia
 
Hey Maximus!

I'd like to know, too, what Pilates workouts you're doing. I'd like to start adding this to my workouts!
 
I was doing KPC ab today and those pike work on the ball is a killer workout!!!
I am not able to do thenm like Cathe and crew yet but I was able to pull up little further today!! and that's a good feeling.
I can feel I'm getting stronger each time I do those workouts and can't wait for the day that I post a thread saying 'I did those pike on the ball!!':)

Christie
 
I can't agree with you more. My stomach area has always been my #1 trouble spot. I now have strength there I'd never dreamed was possible.
 
I agree that planks really give you results. I did Ab Hits #2 yesterday which was ab and planks from the Power Circuit w/o and SJP today which has a plank w/o in it. I am definitely stronger than I was when I first started doing planks.
 
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