Planks are becoming a very popular exercise. Not only because the internet is overflowed with articles on this subject but due to the fact that are highly beneficial.
If you do them correctly you will get exercise for the whole body. The main purpose of planks is to build the core and to support the spine which results with proper body posture.
Below there is a list of seven important advantages if you start practicing planks regularly:
- Improved Core Definition and Performance
As we mentioned planks are good for building the core muscles. Strengthening the core muscles you will gain lots of benefits like:
- Oblique muscles – improved capacity for side bending and waist-twisting
- Glutes – you will make your buttocks to look more toned
- Transverse Abdominis – you will improve your capacity to lift heavy weights
- Rectus Abdominis – enhanced jumping and six pack abdominal muscles.
- Improved Metabolism
By practicing planks you will improve your metabolism in a way that you will maintain metabolic rate thorough the whole day and burn much more energy.
- Improved Overall Balance
The balance of the body can be improved with side planks counting on the general capacity in all exercise types.
- High Flexibility
By doing planks you are stretching and expand the shoulder blades, the collarbone and the shoulders counting on all the aches, toes and hamstrings. Side planks also affect the oblique muscles and in the same time while you stretching the toes. Body weight it can be supported more easily.
- Mental Benefits
The stretching and toning of the muscles affects the tension and stress. Planks relax the brain and they are highly beneficial and helpful with depression and anxiety.
- Reduced risk of back and Spine Injury
Planks will help you to relieve pain in your hips and spine and in the same time will support the entire back. All of this just by strengthening the muscles while doing planks.
- Improved body posture
Your body will obtain stable and straight body posture with doing planks regularly.