Lose Belly Fat Without Moving. It Works!

Are you looking for an easy way to get the perfect waistline or six-pack without having to sweat it out in a gym? Well, you will be amazed to know the wonders that a certain form of exercise, called the 'plank' can do to your body. Since a long while, strengthening core muscles has been in rage. Exercises intended to nourish core muscles help in improving a person's posture and enable him/her to perform physical activities more easily.

Plank exercises are based on a similar concept of building isometric strength by creating tension throughout the body. It affects all the muscles in the body right from the shoulders to the hips. This form of physical activity helps in developing a good posture which makes a person look taller and thinner. It's one of the easiest ways to get the athletic body of your dreams.

So why planks?

Well, the reasons are actually too many and too good. To begin with, these exercises can please both the lazy couch-lovers and the pro-active fitness fanatics. Here are 3 good reasons to start with these exercises immediately:

1. No Equipment Needed

Yes, you read that right. To do a plank exercise you only need an area that is wide enough for you to lie down and high enough for you to stand. If you are uncomfortable performing the exercise on the grass or the floor, a mat will be handy.

2. Do Them Anytime

Whether you have 2 hours to spare or 20 minutes, the routine of these exercises can be set and changed according to your needs. Each exercise only requires you maintain a particular posture and so you may choose to continue an exercise for a longer period or switch to different postures for shorter periods.

3. Flexible With Different Fitness Levels

Another miraculous benefit of these exercises is that their degree can be progressed or regressed to any fitness level.

4. Get More Than Just A Lean Posture

While situps and crunches can also help you build a six-pack or build core muscles, plank exercises also cure back pain and help in strengthening your spine.

Common and Easy Plank Exercises

1. Forearm Plank

To perform this exercise, lie facedown with legs extended and elbows bent and directly under shoulders. Now tuck your toes to lift your body while your forearms remain on the ground. Hold this position for at least 60 seconds.

2. Caterpillar Plank

Get into the straight arm plank position but with your body slightly bent forward. Next, bend your left knee, bring it up and in toward your chest. Maintain this position for as long as you can.

3. Straight-Arm Plank

Simply kneel on all fours with hands straightened directly under shoulders. Come onto toes, straighten legs and hold the posture for at least a minute. You can then repeat the exercise multiple times.

4. One-Legged Plank

For this version of the plank, from a straight-arm plank, lift right leg up and hold. Next, lower your body down. Repeat with left leg for a balanced muscle strengthening.
 

Plank exercises are a great option to build body posture and core body strength without having to even walk or move the slightest. Try them today to achieve the perfect body shape