We are pleased to announce that as of March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor has been introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

planks and the burn

nomoyoyoing
nomoyoyoing Posts: 159 Member
edited November 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
Serious question...why is it that planks burn such few calories, yet they're soooooo difficult!?!

Replies

  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,865 Member
    Because you're not moving any mass for any appreciable distance.

    Calorie expenditure is about moving mass through a distance in space.
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    edited February 2016
    ^^ that re calories

    they hurt because your core is weak

    They are also vastly overrated in effectiveness beyond working up to a minute's hold .. beyond that you're only working on your ability to hold a plank for longer eg endurance ... better IMHO to do dynamic / weight bearing movements to improve your core
  • nomoyoyoing
    nomoyoyoing Posts: 159 Member
    Makes sense, thanks guys! I'm still going to work on my goal of a 5 minute plank, just to say I did.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories