Planks Will Make Your Core Stronger and Not Hurt Your Lower Back


Planks done properly are a terrific way to strengthen your abs while protecting your lower back. The days of isolating and shortening your ab muscles are history! Your core is for stabilization, not isolation. Just because you feel an isolated burn in your abdomen while doing crunches does not mean that you are strengthening your abs properly. Functional training uses multiple joints and multiple muscle groups. The video below will show you different variations of the plank.

Some people feel that planks are boring, but this is just one of the ways that I strengthen my core while maintaining a neutral posture. By realizing the value of a plank, I think you will find an effective exercise for core development and strength. So walk away from the ab machines and "walk the plank" to core stabilization.

Posted by David OMeara at 6/6/2009 4:00 PM
Categories: Author - David O'Meara, Topic - Training, Author - Juan Ruiz-Tagle

Previous Post
Next Post

 

What did you think of this article?




Trackbacks
Trackback specific URL for this post
  • No trackbacks exist for this post.
Comments
Display comments as (Linear | Threaded)

  • 6/7/2009 7:27 AM David wrote:
    Thanks for this excellent demonstration of planks. I will add them to my routine!
    Reply to this
    1. 6/8/2009 10:05 PM David OMeara wrote:

      Dear David,

      Thanks for your blog entry.
      All the best with strengthening and stabilizing your core to make you a more efficient runner.

      Cheers,
      David
      Reply to this
  • 6/15/2009 6:25 PM kim wrote:
    David,
    nice job with those planks. they definately stabalize your body, make your abs stronger without hurting your back. I speak from experience! crunches feel like you're working the ab area better but overall, planks work great too, without the strain on your back.
    Reply to this
  • 3/9/2010 1:01 PM Masters Golf Packages wrote:
    Great video! I've also found that the prone hold also helps to strengthen your back and shoulders as well. For someone that absolutely detests crunches (yuck), but does them anyway because they "have to", this is a nice alternative!

    Cheers!
    -Booker
    Reply to this
  • 5/25/2010 1:01 PM Gita wrote:
    Dave,
    Gita here from CA. I have a question for you.I do water aerobics every evening at the local YMCA and want to know if crunches in the pool are ok or bad for me.??
    Reply to this
Leave a comment

Submitted comments are subject to moderation before being displayed.

 Enter the above security code (required)

 Name (required)

 Email (will not be published) (required)

 Website

Your comment is 0 characters limited to 3000 characters.