Planking: What you should know to get results

Planking is an unavoidable exercise that is often done incorrectly

Planking is often the nightmare of those who want to work on isometric core strength exercises. Most have done this exercise at one point or another, whether they enjoy doing it or not. And whether you love it or hate it, the results are the same: it is a very effective exercise in terms of strengthening the abdominal belt.

Planking is one of the simplest exercises when it comes to bodybuilding and fitness. But as far as doing it effectively, this is a bit more complicated. The question most ask is how long one should stay in this position for it to be effective. The good news is that the answer varies, depending on your level, and what you’re looking to get out of the exercise.

Short or long sets?

There are so many different ways to do this exercise that it could be done a different way every day of the year. The set time can vary between ten seconds and one minute, depending on what you’re looking for. Planking can also be done in intervals: ten seconds of planking and ten seconds of rest, for two minutes at a time. But you can also do three sets of one minute, with one minute of rest.

As long as you’ve positioned yourself properly, any technique will be effective. You can add a level of difficulty by increasing how much you contract your abs, as well as your buttocks and quadriceps. That said, you can always challenge yourself by holding on for as long as possible and then trying to improve your time.