Planks! Yikes!

C

Chrissysu

Cathlete
Hello, all,

Just a quick question about planks. Does anyone else have a hard time doing these? It's not that my MIDDLE gives out, it's just that my shoulders can't seem to hold up my MASSIVE, MUSCULAR upper body . . .just kidding, seriously though, my shoulders can't seem to hold me up that long. Any tips?

Chrissy
 
Are you doing them straight-armed? If so, try doing them on your elbows, supported on your forearm. And concentrate on keeping your shoulders back and down.
 
Chrissy, how long have you been working on planks? It takes time. My shoulders always give out before my abs do. I did the plank work from CTX Power Circuit this morning and although I could do the entire workout, my shoulders were really burning.

I'm not sure how to get around that, I've been doing planks for a while now and can hold them right along with Cathe, but my shoulders really burn during the exercises.

Just keep practicing, try holding the pose for a few seconds longer than the last time, eventually I think your shoulders will be able to handle it.
 
I used to set a timer. 30 seconds, 45 seconds, 60 seconds, etc. I'll go to my elbows sometimes, too, especially after a hard workout and my hands are slipping around.

Can you also try and even out your weight differently? I think one way to do that is to have your feet spread wider. That may make it a bit easier.

I still do all of these methods on different days. ;)
 
I agree with Kathryn, try doing them with bent arms on your elbows and then work up to straight arms.

Jo
 
These are tough, but you have to fight for it! Even though I do these sometimes with a 10# plate on my back, I still have to leave my mind and go somewhere else as I think of nutty things just to get thru. It can be done, don't think you can't do it. I shake and sweat, but I ain't going down!

Charlotte~~
 
yup yup yup - what everyone else said! The seemingly impossible does in fact get easier. Planks, pikes on the ball, pull ups....yeah! YOU CAN DO IT! :)


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

Debbie
 
i go through the same thing and just fight through it until i am so fatigue then i just go on my elbows and fight a little more. i have a weak upper body and this helps me build some endurance as well as work my abs. also depends on what workout i am doing. power hour planks are still a pain where the core max planks i am pretty good with.

kassia

When they discover the center of the universe, a lot of people will be
disappointed to discover they are not it -- Bernard Bailey
 
I worked my way up to full planks...Started with bent elbows on my knees (nodified pushupish position), then out went my legs, off of my elbows...It was a good 3 or 4 month process! But WOW! Lovin' the feeling of accomplishment now!

MJ
 
Thanks, gals,

I guess I'm just going to have to keep fighting through it. I've been working on these for a couple months now. I have hope that I'll be able to do these like Cathe . . .and Charlotte :) !! Wow! 10lb plate on your back! Sheesh!

I might also try the timer thing. I'm sure it's just a major mental thing for me!

Thanks for all the suggestions!

Chrissy
 
When I finally worked my way through CTX planks (which took about 2 months), I bought Core Max. Section 1 planks - with those hip dips, they kill me! I do find bent arm planks harder then the straight arm as well. I hate when she does them back to back. Although I don't enjoy doing them, I have found such and improvement in my posture and even my balance. They really do wonders for your lower back, keep at it.
 
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