⭐⭐Here’s How to do a PERFECT Plank Every Time ⭐⭐

Planks are SO IMPORTANT because they help strengthen muscles that stabilize your core and protect your spine. The stronger your core, the stronger the rest of your body becomes!

Having a strong core will support your postural muscles... and when you can maintain proper posture throughout the day, everything in your body functions better. I’m talking about everything from your circulation, to your digestion, and even your stress and energy levels! 

Doing a plank correctly can be more challenging than you might think, because not only is it hard to see your position, a lot of us have muscle imbalances that make it even harder to get into place. 

Common things I see that need to be fixed:

• Hips are too high (butt sticking in the air)

• Hips too low (low back dip)

• Upper back collapsed

• Pain in low back

• Head dropping down (neck strain)

Let’s take you step by step:

Start on our stomachs on the floor with your knees about hip-width apart, and your elbows directly under your shoulders, hands shoulder-width apart.

Brace your abs, and come up onto your knees, so that your hips are just under shoulder height. Make sure you keep your neck long and head aligned with your spine.

You should definitely feel this in your core muscles, even from your knees. If not, check to make sure you are not hunching your shoulders, or that your hips aren’t too high. Your back should be nice and flat.

If you feel like you can do a little more, press into your toes and lift your knees from the floor. 

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Feel your quadriceps shrug up toward your hips and your spine lengthen.

Press back into your heels and squeeze your glutes (butt) slightly.

Breathe and hold this position for 30 seconds or so.

Check out the video for a good picture of what’s good and what to fix! It’s a great visual for everything I’ve described here.

If you follow those simple steps, one-by-one, you’ll find it becomes easier to get into plank position, and you’ll notice a fast improvement in your core strength!

If you’re still not sure if you are holding a plank properly, grab your phone and take a video of yourself. Or do it in front of a mirror.  It can help a LOT.

So… there you have it!  I recommend practicing your plank exercises about 3 times a week and doing 1-3 or more sets of 30 seconds or more! 

Has this video breakdown of the plank helped you?! 

Let me know if you have any questions.  

Britt