60 Minutes per Month Plank Challenge - January 2018! Happy New Planking Year!

Spliner1969
Spliner1969 Posts: 3,233 Member
edited 2:25PM in Challenges
Welcome to 2018!! A new year, same challenge!

This is a pretty simple challenge thread for those that want to have some accountability with their plank workouts. This plank challenge thread is meant to be flexible enough that people of various fitness levels should be able to successfully complete it as long as they are consistent with doing their planks regularly. If you find you cannot complete 60 minutes. or want to do more, you are welcome to set your own goals, many of us do.

Original Challenge Goal - 60 minutes of planks for the month. That's about 2 minutes of planks daily, or 3 minutes of planks for 20 days or 5 minutes of planks for 12 days...or...what ever you want to do to reach the challenge goal. I, personally, do mixed planks of up to 10 minutes per day. I split them up throughout my normal workouts or do them in a couple of longer mixed sets at the end of my normal workout routine.

>>If you are already a planking superstar or start to consistently hit the challenge goal, feel free to post your own goal at the beginning of the challenge that is higher than the one for the posted challenge. Or post an updated goal once you hit 60 minutes.
>>If you join us late in the month, feel free to post an alternate goal that is in the spirit of the original challenge (for example, joining around the 15th would be a 30 minute plank challenge to finish out the month).

How many sets? As many as you need. If you can do a 5 minute plank in one set, that is amazing!! If you want to do a few sets of 1 - 2 minute planks, that's cool! If you need to break up your planks into multiple sets of 15-30 seconds, that's okay too! I do a 5-minute set that goes something like this:

30 seconds forearm, 30 seconds straight arm with 15 push ups added in for good measure, 30 seconds left side plank, 30 seconds right side plank, repeat the 30 second side planks until I hit 5 minutes total without stopping. Mixing things up gives me a more rounded workout, and I generally never hold any one position longer than 1 minute. I'll then stop, do some yoga, stretching, maybe a few crunches or leg lifts, inverted bicycles, then I'll go back and do this 5-minute plank again to finish up my 10 minutes for the day. Feel free to create your own.

Types of planks? ALL planks and their variations count! Straight arm planks, forearm/elbow planks, side planks, reverse planks, etc. This allows you to vary your planks depending on your personal workout goals. (See next post for a variety of planking ideas.) I even add push ups during some of my planks as well as leg raises, etc. to push just a bit harder. Remember form is more important than length of the plank. Don't slouch. Make sure your core is tight during each plank, don't put all the pressure on your arms or legs, don't slouch. There are plenty of youtube videos (some examples below) about how to make a plank effective with good form. Take some time and view a few of them. It'll help in the long run. Your times can increase as you get better, no worries if you can only do a few seconds at first. Rest, and do a few more seconds, or switch positions.

How to join / participate? Just post your intended goal, then the total minutes of the planks you did for the day and your running total for the month. No spreadsheets, no groups. Easy peasy.

Last month's 60 minute plank challenge thread:
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10618956/60-minutes-per-month-plank-challenge-december-2017/

Welcome and get planking!!

I am continuing this challenge once again for @b3achy, the original author. All credit goes to her for starting this thing many many moons ago. All examples, quoted text, and ideas were, and still are, her contribution. She tells me she copied this from another site, well.. it's ours now! I take no credit here, just keeping the torch lit in her absence. Stay tuned for some examples, and happy planking!

I'd like to add (as stated above in bold) that it has long since been a tradition that we accept any goal. If you don't feel you can do 60 minutes, or if you start late in the month, we want you here. So post your personal goal and start planking. You can come back each month and increase your times until you reach the challenge goal or go beyond it. Some of us go way beyond it and that's ok too. We have never been judgemental. Everyone needs a strong core, and we believe this is the path to that goal!

Some examples:

30 Day Beginner Plank Challenge - builds to a 2 minute plank (total is 26 minutes and 55 seconds for the month, so 33 minutes and 5 seconds short of 60 minutes. Recommend doing multiples earlier in the program when they are shorter to get more minutes for 60):
30-day-plank-workout6.jpg

30 Day Advanced Plank Workout - building to 5 minute planks (total is 53 minutes and 20 seconds for the month, so 6 minutes and 40 seconds short of 60 minutes unless you do multiples earlier in the program):
30-day-plank-challenge-chart.jpg

Here's an Alternate 30 Day Plank Workout (for beginners, intermediate, and advanced) that also builds to 5 minutes of Planks (by doing multiples of no more than 30 sec planks; also 53 minutes and 20 seconds for the month):
30-day-plank-challenge-10-1024.jpg?cb=1438051399
For details on the variations, here's the full slideshow: http://www.slideshare.net/TodaysFitnessTrainer/30-day-plank-challenge[/quote]
b3achy wrote: »
Intermediate Plank Workouts:
These are intermediate level workouts, good to try once you have a good foundation of standard planks and are looking for something more interesting or with more variety.

3 minute Bowflex Plank Workout:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynUw0YsrmSg

Rebecca Louise 5 minute Plank Workout (shows nearly proper form (butt's a little too far in the air, IMO), and modified forms):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1Ge7uGpjFY

DareBee 5 minute Plank Workout:
five-minute-plank-workout.jpg

DareBee Killer Core Plank Workout:
killer-core-workout.jpg

Advanced Workouts:
Do not try these if you have never done a plank before. These are workouts to build up to once you successfully establish a good foundation of standard planks (and probably only once you've managed to do some of the intermediate workouts).

15 Minute Advanced Plank Workout:
wh-15-min-plank-workout_0.jpeg
See details in this article ~ http://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/plank-abs-workout

FitnessBlender 10 minute Advanced Plank Workout (this looks brutal):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DNN9a5pU2A


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Replies

  • Spliner1969
    Spliner1969 Posts: 3,233 Member
    I'm in for my usual 180 minutes. Changing up my routine this month to incorporate some free weights for the new year so let's see if I can keep up the momentum! Not sure about joining? Do it anyway. Do what you can, no judgement! Coming back from last month? Great! Welcome back! You got this!
  • brightresolve
    brightresolve Posts: 1,024 Member
    I'm in for 60 with the hope that this month I will blow that out of the water.
  • SanDiegofitmom
    SanDiegofitmom Posts: 303 Member
    I’m in but shooting for 90 minutes
  • dinadyna21
    dinadyna21 Posts: 403 Member
    I'm in for 60, thanks for the videos.
  • hwara37
    hwara37 Posts: 15 Member
    I'm in to try!
  • jonsjanuary
    jonsjanuary Posts: 13 Member
    I'll try it! I'm going to try for 1 minute in the morning and one at night for 30 days. If nothing else, it will tone me up so that in February I can do some kind of horrible pushup challenge. Thanks for alll the research on different ways to do it. That was really cool.
  • finallyfitmommel
    finallyfitmommel Posts: 39 Member
    I'm in. Goal: 60 minutes
  • enyagoboom
    enyagoboom Posts: 377 Member
    Just over 15 minutes last month. Shooting for 60 again.
  • RojitaL
    RojitaL Posts: 12 Member
    I am in. I will shoot for the 60! :smiley:
  • NerineLuna
    NerineLuna Posts: 76 Member
    I'm a total beginner to planks, and haven't really done much exercise or working out at all for these past few months, so I'm planning on simply starting with the beginner workout as its written down. It will leave me short of even 30 minutes, but I figure actually keeping up with a challenge like this is much preferred to a high goal and dripping out after week 1.
  • sunshine1ray
    sunshine1ray Posts: 56 Member
    I'm in for 60 minutes.
  • xcjumper
    xcjumper Posts: 207 Member
    I'm in for 60 but will try for more
  • Colleena3
    Colleena3 Posts: 1 Member
    This will be my first challenge since starting mfp (today). I'm going to try for 60 minutes
  • MaryBethHempel
    MaryBethHempel Posts: 513 Member
    Welcome to 2018!! A new year, same challenge!

    This is a pretty simple challenge thread for those that want to have some accountability with their plank workouts. This plank challenge thread is meant to be flexible enough that people of various fitness levels should be able to successfully complete it as long as they are consistent with doing their planks regularly. If you find you cannot complete 60 minutes. or want to do more, you are welcome to set your own goals, many of us do.

    Original Challenge Goal - 60 minutes of planks for the month. That's about 2 minutes of planks daily, or 3 minutes of planks for 20 days or 5 minutes of planks for 12 days...or...what ever you want to do to reach the challenge goal. I, personally, do mixed planks of up to 10 minutes per day. I split them up throughout my normal workouts or do them in a couple of longer mixed sets at the end of my normal workout routine.

    >>If you are already a planking superstar or start to consistently hit the challenge goal, feel free to post your own goal at the beginning of the challenge that is higher than the one for the posted challenge. Or post an updated goal once you hit 60 minutes.
    >>If you join us late in the month, feel free to post an alternate goal that is in the spirit of the original challenge (for example, joining around the 15th would be a 30 minute plank challenge to finish out the month).

    How many sets? As many as you need. If you can do a 5 minute plank in one set, that is amazing!! If you want to do a few sets of 1 - 2 minute planks, that's cool! If you need to break up your planks into multiple sets of 15-30 seconds, that's okay too! I do a 5-minute set that goes something like this:

    30 seconds forearm, 30 seconds straight arm with 15 push ups added in for good measure, 30 seconds left side plank, 30 seconds right side plank, repeat the 30 second side planks until I hit 5 minutes total without stopping. Mixing things up gives me a more rounded workout, and I generally never hold any one position longer than 1 minute. I'll then stop, do some yoga, stretching, maybe a few crunches or leg lifts, inverted bicycles, then I'll go back and do this 5-minute plank again to finish up my 10 minutes for the day. Feel free to create your own.

    Types of planks? ALL planks and their variations count! Straight arm planks, forearm/elbow planks, side planks, reverse planks, etc. This allows you to vary your planks depending on your personal workout goals. (See next post for a variety of planking ideas.) I even add push ups during some of my planks as well as leg raises, etc. to push just a bit harder. Remember form is more important than length of the plank. Don't slouch. Make sure your core is tight during each plank, don't put all the pressure on your arms or legs, don't slouch. There are plenty of youtube videos (some examples below) about how to make a plank effective with good form. Take some time and view a few of them. It'll help in the long run. Your times can increase as you get better, no worries if you can only do a few seconds at first. Rest, and do a few more seconds, or switch positions.

    How to join / participate? Just post your intended goal, then the total minutes of the planks you did for the day and your running total for the month. No spreadsheets, no groups. Easy peasy.

    Last month's 60 minute plank challenge thread:
    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10618956/60-minutes-per-month-plank-challenge-december-2017/

    Welcome and get planking!!

    I am continuing this challenge once again for @b3achy, the original author. All credit goes to her for starting this thing many many moons ago. All examples, quoted text, and ideas were, and still are, her contribution. She tells me she copied this from another site, well.. it's ours now! I take no credit here, just keeping the torch lit in her absence. Stay tuned for some examples, and happy planking!

    I'd like to add (as stated above in bold) that it has long since been a tradition that we accept any goal. If you don't feel you can do 60 minutes, or if you start late in the month, we want you here. So post your personal goal and start planking. You can come back each month and increase your times until you reach the challenge goal or go beyond it. Some of us go way beyond it and that's ok too. We have never been judgemental. Everyone needs a strong core, and we believe this is the path to that goal!

    Some examples:

    30 Day Beginner Plank Challenge - builds to a 2 minute plank (total is 26 minutes and 55 seconds for the month, so 33 minutes and 5 seconds short of 60 minutes. Recommend doing multiples earlier in the program when they are shorter to get more minutes for 60):
    30-day-plank-workout6.jpg

    30 Day Advanced Plank Workout - building to 5 minute planks (total is 53 minutes and 20 seconds for the month, so 6 minutes and 40 seconds short of 60 minutes unless you do multiples earlier in the program):
    30-day-plank-challenge-chart.jpg

    Here's an Alternate 30 Day Plank Workout (for beginners, intermediate, and advanced) that also builds to 5 minutes of Planks (by doing multiples of no more than 30 sec planks; also 53 minutes and 20 seconds for the month):
    30-day-plank-challenge-10-1024.jpg?cb=1438051399
    For details on the variations, here's the full slideshow: http://www.slideshare.net/TodaysFitnessTrainer/30-day-plank-challenge
    b3achy wrote: »
    Intermediate Plank Workouts:
    These are intermediate level workouts, good to try once you have a good foundation of standard planks and are looking for something more interesting or with more variety.

    3 minute Bowflex Plank Workout:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynUw0YsrmSg

    Rebecca Louise 5 minute Plank Workout (shows nearly proper form (butt's a little too far in the air, IMO), and modified forms):
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1Ge7uGpjFY

    DareBee 5 minute Plank Workout:
    five-minute-plank-workout.jpg

    DareBee Killer Core Plank Workout:
    killer-core-workout.jpg

    Advanced Workouts:
    Do not try these if you have never done a plank before. These are workouts to build up to once you successfully establish a good foundation of standard planks (and probably only once you've managed to do some of the intermediate workouts).

    15 Minute Advanced Plank Workout:
    wh-15-min-plank-workout_0.jpeg
    See details in this article ~ http://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/plank-abs-workout

    FitnessBlender 10 minute Advanced Plank Workout (this looks brutal):
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DNN9a5pU2A



    Wow! This looks really tough!! I guess I have something to work towards!!
  • MaryBethHempel
    MaryBethHempel Posts: 513 Member
    I am in and going to have the goal of 120 minutes! :)
    Happy New Year!!
  • Spliner1969
    Spliner1969 Posts: 3,233 Member
    I'm excited to see so many joining in for January! Gonna be a fun month!
  • KareninLux
    KareninLux Posts: 1,413 Member
    I'm in.
  • storkbyte1
    storkbyte1 Posts: 21 Member
    Think I'll give it a try. :)
  • meat513
    meat513 Posts: 258 Member
    I'm in for 60 minutes
  • jimhpa99
    jimhpa99 Posts: 10 Member
    I'll give this a try since I am trying to start exercising again. Haven't done planks before but my goal is 60 minutes and see how it goes.
  • alipsie19
    alipsie19 Posts: 705 Member
    Going to give in another whirl.
  • Lainna21
    Lainna21 Posts: 20 Member
    Going for 60! This is a fantastic idea!
  • SheilaHandler
    SheilaHandler Posts: 6 Member
    I’m in
  • jimhpa99
    jimhpa99 Posts: 10 Member
    1/1: 2 minutes, 58 remaining
  • jimhpa99
    jimhpa99 Posts: 10 Member
    How do you log your planking in the diary? I don't care about the few calories I may have burned but would like to log it for accountability. Thanks.
  • MaryBethHempel
    MaryBethHempel Posts: 513 Member
    120 minutes is goal
    1/1/2018 :smile: 5 minutes -
    115 to go
  • KareninLux
    KareninLux Posts: 1,413 Member
    edited January 2018
    Day 1. Done. 60 seconds.

    :)
  • brightresolve
    brightresolve Posts: 1,024 Member
    jimhpa99 wrote: »
    How do you log your planking in the diary? I don't care about the few calories I may have burned but would like to log it for accountability. Thanks.

    I want some insight on this too! Any ideas anyone?

    I have been trying to figure out how I could make a Garmin Connect goal out of it ... maybe I will just time planks on my watch but the little rest intervals I take make that challenging (as in, my chances of stopping and starting my watch on the minute every time are pretty low)

This discussion has been closed.