You might be surprised but the plank pose has its roots in the ancient yogic practice and has been practiced for hundreds of years. And whether you go to a fitness gym Dubai or work out at home, you absolutely cannot miss the plank as a part of your routine. Although it is such a simple pose, it is a great way of targeting your core as well as a range of other muscles such as the oblique muscles and glutes. Here are some other benefits that will make you want to get in a plank pose right now:
Posture
A good posture can work wonders for your confidence as well as the first impressions that you make on others. A poor posture especially slouched shoulders and text necks can make even the smartest appear lazy and unapproachable. Since the plank engages the entire spine from the neck to the lower back as well as the thighs and pelvis it results in a great posture.
Body Balance
Strengthening one’s core muscles is a wonderful way of working on one’s coordination and balance. From riding a cycle to doing handstands, core muscles help in maintaining balance. Doing planks can help in building up stability and balance.
Increase Your BMR
There are very few exercises that stimulate the muscles as much as the plank does. This helps in building muscles, and more muscles generally mean a better metabolism. A boosted metabolism results in quicker burning of calories. Thus, a plank is a great way of losing fat and building muscle definition. And if you can achieve a very low body fat percentage then planks will definitely help in building visible four or six packs.
Reduces Back Pain
Given the demands of the modern desk jobs that require people to sit in a single place for long hours, back pain and lower back issues have become common. As planks help in strengthening the core muscles, it reduces the pressure on the back and helps in reducing pain. Planks also help in increasing flexibility.
Reduces Belly Fat
Belly fat is perhaps one of the most stubborn fats in the body. And other ab exercises can aid reduction, planks target all the major muscle groups and help in reducing belly fat.
Lastly, while this isn’t a direct benefit to your body, it is beneficial for your brain. The plank is a simple exercise that doesn’t require hours of training to master. Irrespective of the level of your fitness, the plank can easily become a part of your regimen. You can start from 1-minute planks and build up the time from there. At later stages, you can also add weights if required. Moreover, its simplicity makes it easy to do whether you like working out at the gym, at home or in the garden. You require zero equipment to start doing planks.
Conclusion
There are innumerable benefits of this simple exercise. And if you are truly serious about your fitness, not only will you search for a ‘fitness center near me’ right this instant but will also make sure that planks are included in your fitness routine.