Holding a plank position can fire up all these muscle groups simultaneously giving us the following benefits :
A bad posture is when we slouch and have slumped shoulders. This happens because of poor alignment and sitting for long durations.
A good posture is one where the weight of the body is distributed evenly. It reduces the stress on our spine and gives us a straight, well aligned body while walking, standing and sitting.
The plank position engages all muscles from your neck, shoulder and back up to your pelvis, thighs and legs. Gradually, this results in a strong posture giving you the confidence to walk tall and proper !
Our core muscles are responsible for helping us balance while riding a bike or standing on one leg. Even dancing requires engaging the core muscles to achieve the right balance in form. Planks hold the core muscles taut thus teaching your muscle to endure. This builds muscle stability and increases body balance.
Many of us, even at a young age, experience back pain and lower back issues. This is due to bad posture and bad alignment of the body. Regular planks can help improve posture and rid you of back pain.
This is because planks help build strong abdominal muscles which reduce the strain on your back, shoulders and neck. Planking down after a long day of sitting on your computer can help relieve neck and shoulder knots too and help your body come into alignment. Planks and regular exercise can prevent degenerative muscle atrophy caused by osteoarthritis too.
If you’ve read this far, you have realized that our core muscles do more than look pretty ! Plank and its variations like a side plank, reverse plank, resistance planks etc. can help build strength and endurance.
However, only doing planks can become monotonous and you may quit soon. Thus, your ‘planking’ needs to be regular in the build-up towards a routine consisting of multiple exercises like cardio, weight training etc. in order to give your body a comprehensive workout instead of a core burn out !
Are headstands, handstands or forearm stands your dream ?
Start planking to reach your goal !
In Yoga, the plank position, called Kumbhakasana and the side plank or Vasisthasana are essential poses for flexibility and core strength. They help improve flexibility in hips and thighs when combined with other poses. Abdominal muscles are essential for performing a headstand or a handstand and planks lead the way !
When we sit and work for long hours or are not physically active in our life, our metabolism tends to slow down. Doing the plank position regularly improves circulation, thus improving body metabolism. The stronger your muscles grow, the more your food intake will increase. However, if you keep exercising regularly and eat a healthy diet, the combination will make your metabolic rate go up and you will burn more calories, which results in fat loss. Regular planking can improve your metabolism and you will burn calories, even in your sleep !
Any and all exercises release endorphins which help elevate our mood. However, planks can be special mood lifters because it engages the stress corners of our body. Our shoulders, neck and back usually tense up and have knots because of strain and stress, both mental or physiological. Contracting these muscles literally squeezes the tension out from major muscles where the stress accumulates.
Constant stress can cause various mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. Thus, exercise is essential to remind our brain and body to release stress and rejuvenate.
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Source: https://www.bharti-axagi.co.in/health-fitness/top-7-benefits-of-plank-for-your-body
