THE POWER OF THE PLANK

I’ve met many planks over the years, but this plank was different…
Our kick-as& Ignite instructor here in Marin, Jenny, would mix each 55 minute class up by adding variations to weight and cardio rotations. I loved being introduced to new weight exercises and looked forward to an element of surprise. However, Jenny would keep the last four minutes of each class the same...
Meet The Plank Challenge. A consisent and sturdy four minutes. Ironically, this is when and where I’d find the greatest change… in my strength, ability, and likeness…
Towards the very end of this fave class of mine, Jenny would let us know:
Time for the plank challenge….”
You can go into a side plank….move around…down to forearms…back up…”
Whatever you do, stay with it…”
Ready, setting the timer for 3 minutes….”
30 seconds left, but those who want the challenge we’ll hold for an extra minute…. Going for four minutes… Let’s go!...”
Keep with it….you staying up will help the person next to you stay up too!…..”
When the Plank and I first met many years ago in yoga, I had a bad first impression. My wrists dreaded it. My mind bashed it. I’d do my best to avoid it.
My reintroduction to the plank in Jenny’s Ignite went much differently. Plank and I were now meeting on new terms. Have to say, I quickly noticed how I enjoyed the focus it required. And, how it always arrived with a challenge against the test of time — topped off with a lesson that screamed, “Do Not Give Up!!!”
Soon enough, plank added definition to my shoulders and helped out my core for sure. I started to appreciate it so much that if a day went without it, I’d miss it terribly. Who would’ve thought that with such a rocky start, plank would officially become a bestie.
I let Jenny know that just plank’in it made such a difference for me personally. I start every workout with it. Visit it again in the middle of my weight routine. And close every workout by setting my iphone timer to it again (all while listening to Dwayne the Rock Johnson’s motivational and inspirational videos I landed on with a google search for new music). I’ve been hanging out with it three times a day, and never tire of it.
I’m getting the sense it’s one of the all time greatest MVP moves, we all should make time for. It stands as a fantastic measure of strength, and gives you instant feedback on improvement.
I asked our group fitness instructor Jenny McTaggart for her take on this new found favorite by sharing the benefits of the plank and what’s a good amount of time to start with and work up to:
“Planking is a great bracing exercise for the core, but that’s not why I have my class do it. We do it for grit and mental toughness. We do it to find calm, and find our inner power. Learning to drown out the voice in our head that might by trying to undermine our strength. Learn how to speak louder than that inner voice, find a mantra, and create a new or a stronger louder voice. It’s individual, and it’s community. If you can learn how to do it in the gym, you can take it out into your every day life and use it to breathe through tough situations. Learn how to stay calm when there is chaos. Body shaking, sweat dripping, calm focus.”
“Start your plank and set a timer. On your hands, forearms, or even work in side planks. Try and increase your time each week any amount that you can, even if it’s a 5 second increase.”
If you’re traveling, or find you don’t have much time to squeeze in a workout, a plank is a fabulous go-to. It’s low maintenance, can be with you anywhere, and will help you feel better both in body and mind. Happy to vouch for it anytime.