Planks

spunkysassylady23
spunkysassylady23 Posts: 11 Member
edited December 21 in Health and Weight Loss
Curious why everyone recommends only crunches to get a flat stomach when planks work so much faster but are as hard to do when you hold the pose :-)
At least in my experience they are much better at flattening the stomach. Thoughts?
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Replies

  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    Thoughts?
    You posted in the wrong bit ?
  • LexyDB
    LexyDB Posts: 261
    Curious why people think crunches or planks will get you a flat stomach when you have to get body fat into single percent first.
  • dane11235813
    dane11235813 Posts: 682 Member
    Curious why everyone recommends only crunches to get a flat stomach when planks work so much faster but are as hard to do when you hold the pose :-)
    At least in my experience they are much better at flattening the stomach. Thoughts?

    planks and crunches will give you a strong core
    diet will give you a flat stomach.
  • ady41
    ady41 Posts: 23 Member
    [/quote]
    planks and crunches will give you a strong core
    diet will give you a flat stomach.
    [/quote]

    correct!
  • lickmybaconcakes
    lickmybaconcakes Posts: 1,063 Member
    Planks are good to a certain point but depending on your core strength it may take a while to reach that point.
  • LifeChangingExp
    LifeChangingExp Posts: 454 Member
    Curious why everyone recommends only crunches to get a flat stomach when planks work so much faster but are as hard to do when you hold the pose :-)
    At least in my experience they are much better at flattening the stomach. Thoughts?

    planks and crunches will give you a strong core
    diet will give you a flat stomach.


    ^yes....
  • spunkysassylady23
    spunkysassylady23 Posts: 11 Member
    I agree about the body fat being lower as well..... Just see over and over people saying to do crunches and nothing else for abs. Thanks
  • wareagle8706
    wareagle8706 Posts: 1,090 Member
    Curious why people think crunches or planks will get you a flat stomach when you have to get body fat into single percent first.

    I definitely have a flat stomach and my body fat is definitely NOT in single percents. I may not have a six pack, but my stomach is FLAT.


    And as for planks vs. crunches - totally agree that planks are WAY better for building a strong core versus crunches. Crunches are only hitting your surface muscles whereas planks and other CORE exercises are going to hit your innermost core muscle including the one in your back, not just your abdomen. Totally agree planks are the way to go!
  • LiddyBit
    LiddyBit Posts: 447 Member
    Planks are great for your whole body! I have a hamstring strain right now and went to do a plank and was surprised that it caused considerable pain in my hamstring.
  • Capt_Apollo
    Capt_Apollo Posts: 9,026 Member
    you want to really start flatenning that stomach?? combine diet and exercise. BAM! take that dr. oz.


    ever since i started using kettle bells, i've noticed a huge improvement in my core muscles, and their tone.


    ugh, i hate that word. "tone." ::shudder::
  • tcpowell25
    tcpowell25 Posts: 292
    Curious why everyone recommends only crunches to get a flat stomach when planks work so much faster but are as hard to do when you hold the pose :-)
    At least in my experience they are much better at flattening the stomach. Thoughts?

    planks and crunches will give you a strong core
    diet will give you a flat stomach.

    ^^^^^ I so agree. Caloric intake and cardio is the key to a flat stomach. You can do all the core and ab work you want all day long, but as long as you have a belly full of fat covering it, the flat stomach won't show. Flat abs and six packs are made in the kitchen LOL.
  • lizzynewm
    lizzynewm Posts: 199 Member
    planks are so beneficial for so many things. i'm still overweight, but doing them every day has significantly strengthened my core. i have better posture, my lower-back pain has diminished, and i know when i shed off the rest of my fat, i'll have nice abs waiting for me! :laugh:
    i love alternating between 30 second planks and supermans (supermen?...) because i always feel like i'm getting the entire middle section!
  • dane11235813
    dane11235813 Posts: 682 Member
    personally i'm not a big fan of planks. they're boring and i feel like i'm not using my core enough.

    kettlebell squats or overhead squats work way better for me.
  • Jacwhite22
    Jacwhite22 Posts: 7,010 Member
    Personally I don't do targeted ab work. I do squats, deadlifts, standing overhead press.....My core is strong.
  • wareagle8706
    wareagle8706 Posts: 1,090 Member
    personally i'm not a big fan of planks. they're boring and i feel like i'm not using my core enough.

    kettlebell squats or overhead squats work way better for me.

    Typically, not saying this is the case for you, but if you don't feel like they're working then you're doing them wrong.

    Also, some people who have a very strong core need to usually make them more difficult by adding weight or alternating limbs to throw off balance.

    The rule for a good plank is that someone should be able to lay a broom stick across ur back and it touch your head, shoulders, just below your shoulder, and butt. this implies you should be in the ideal position to get the most out of it.
  • beccadaniixox
    beccadaniixox Posts: 542 Member
    Curious why people think crunches or planks will get you a flat stomach when you have to get body fat into single percent first.

    I definitely have a flat stomach and my body fat is definitely NOT in single percents. I may not have a six pack, but my stomach is FLAT.

    Okay thank gosh! I was worried I needed 9% BF or lower to get a flat tummy.
    But that doesn't sound too healthy if I plan to have kids in 5-10 years.
  • heylatimer
    heylatimer Posts: 60 Member
    Planks got boring pretty quick but I keep them interesting by throwing in variations.

    - put your feet on a exercise ball
    - put your hands in a pushup position
    - throw a pushup in every 5 seconds
    - dip your hips every 10 seconds
    - throw a mountain climber in every few seconds
    - lift a leg
    - lift an alternate arm

    My back has never felt better since I started doing planks. Crunches/situps/etc. have never offered me any benefit.

    Edit: Squats/Deadlifts/etc will strengthen your core but planks will 'balance' your core
  • shelbiejo
    shelbiejo Posts: 283 Member
    I'm with you! I think planks work sooo much better. I feel like my workouts are more intense with planks than with crunches. Superman's are also one of my favorites that helps build a strong core!!
  • LiddyBit
    LiddyBit Posts: 447 Member
    Curious why people think crunches or planks will get you a flat stomach when you have to get body fat into single percent first.

    I definitely have a flat stomach and my body fat is definitely NOT in single percents. I may not have a six pack, but my stomach is FLAT.

    Okay thank gosh! I was worried I needed 9% BF or lower to get a flat tummy.
    But that doesn't sound too healthy if I plan to have kids in 5-10 years.

    I have 21% BF and a flat stomach, so single digit BF is certainly not necessary!
  • dragonfly74
    dragonfly74 Posts: 1,382 Member
    Curious why people think crunches or planks will get you a flat stomach when you have to get body fat into single percent first.

    I've never had a body fat percentage in single digits and have had a flat tummy. After each kid it is a bit more work. I have always done crunches to get there but now prefer planks along with crunches.
  • dane11235813
    dane11235813 Posts: 682 Member
    Curious why people think crunches or planks will get you a flat stomach when you have to get body fat into single percent first.

    I definitely have a flat stomach and my body fat is definitely NOT in single percents. I may not have a six pack, but my stomach is FLAT.

    Okay thank gosh! I was worried I needed 9% BF or lower to get a flat tummy.
    But that doesn't sound too healthy if I plan to have kids in 5-10 years.

    I have 21% BF and a flat stomach, so single digit BF is certainly not necessary!

    i think what the poster meant to say was that you need to be single digits for a male to visibly see your abs which is usually the rule of thumb
  • neaneawy
    neaneawy Posts: 146 Member
    A flat stomach and a six pack are two completely different things. I'm still 6 lbs overweight, but my stomach is pretty flat as in no spare tire/bulge. There is very little muscle definition. For me though, I hold most of my fat in my thighs. I do crunches and planks depending on the workout. I know they are helping because my "mommy" tummy is pulling up nicely. You do core/ab workout for more than just to have a six pack.
  • dane11235813
    dane11235813 Posts: 682 Member
    personally i'm not a big fan of planks. they're boring and i feel like i'm not using my core enough.

    kettlebell squats or overhead squats work way better for me.

    Typically, not saying this is the case for you, but if you don't feel like they're working then you're doing them wrong.

    Also, some people who have a very strong core need to usually make them more difficult by adding weight or alternating limbs to throw off balance.

    The rule for a good plank is that someone should be able to lay a broom stick across ur back and it touch your head, shoulders, just below your shoulder, and butt. this implies you should be in the ideal position to get the most out of it.

    i guess i should have been more clear as to why i don't like them. i have a strong enough core that it takes at least a couple minutes before i feel my core is fatiguing and by then i'm bored of just laying there on my elbows or side.
    lifting one leg off the ground or doing one arm planks does help but i'd rather do a something like a little more dynamic. to each their own though.
  • wareagle8706
    wareagle8706 Posts: 1,090 Member
    personally i'm not a big fan of planks. they're boring and i feel like i'm not using my core enough.

    kettlebell squats or overhead squats work way better for me.

    Typically, not saying this is the case for you, but if you don't feel like they're working then you're doing them wrong.

    Also, some people who have a very strong core need to usually make them more difficult by adding weight or alternating limbs to throw off balance.

    The rule for a good plank is that someone should be able to lay a broom stick across ur back and it touch your head, shoulders, just below your shoulder, and butt. this implies you should be in the ideal position to get the most out of it.

    i guess i should have been more clear as to why i don't like them. i have a strong enough core that it takes at least a couple minutes before i feel my core is fatiguing and by then i'm bored of just laying there on my elbows or side.
    lifting one leg off the ground or doing one arm planks does help but i'd rather do a something like a little more dynamic. to each their own though.

    Well, Just by looking at your profile photo I assumed this was the case. :love:

    EDIT: But I just wanted to let everyone else know why they may not feel this exercise is worth while and what they could do to improve it.
  • EpiGaiaRepens
    EpiGaiaRepens Posts: 824 Member
    Personally I don't do targeted ab work. I do squats, deadlifts, standing overhead press.....My core is strong.

    ^^this.

    And whoever said BF% had to be in "single"??? I don't think so. Not for women at least. I think 18% for women = seeing abs (generally, of course).
  • Jersey_Devil
    Jersey_Devil Posts: 4,142 Member
    Curious why everyone recommends only crunches to get a flat stomach when planks work so much faster but are as hard to do when you hold the pose :-)
    At least in my experience they are much better at flattening the stomach. Thoughts?

    planks and crunches will give you a strong core
    diet will give you a flat stomach.

    ^^This
  • EpiGaiaRepens
    EpiGaiaRepens Posts: 824 Member
    though I will say, after 80 minutes of lifting heavy and 150 crunches, holding plank isn't easy for me!
  • cyberskirt
    cyberskirt Posts: 218
    planking is a goal for me! currently I'm too heavy to do a plank,... or too fat? basically I go into the 'position' and all of me is still on the ground, hell, my tits are leverage! LOL.
  • wareagle8706
    wareagle8706 Posts: 1,090 Member
    Personally I don't do targeted ab work. I do squats, deadlifts, standing overhead press.....My core is strong.

    ^^this.

    And whoever said BF% had to be in "single"??? I don't think so. Not for women at least. I think 18% for women = seeing abs (generally, of course).

    I would like it to be 18% lol. I'm at around 19% right now and if I could see my abs at 18% I'd be happy!! lol
  • wareagle8706
    wareagle8706 Posts: 1,090 Member
    planking is a goal for me! currently I'm too heavy to do a plank,... or too fat? basically I go into the 'position' and all of me is still on the ground, hell, my tits are leverage! LOL.

    :laugh:

    You'll get there!!
This discussion has been closed.