Looking Straight Ahead

Your head and neck should be aligned with your spine and the rest of your body, which means you should be looking at the floor while doing a plank. Keeping your head in a neutral position and not looking up or straight ahead is important in order to avoid a neck strain or spine injuries.

Lowering Or Lifting The Hips

To achieve the perfect plank position, your entire body should form a straight line, which means you shouldn’t make the mistake of lowering or lifting your hips too high. The only way to achieve this is to engage your core muscle, which is the whole point of this exercise.

Holding a Plank Too Long

People usually think that holding a plank for a longer period of time will get them better results, but this isn’t always true. The goal is to engage your muscles and not hold for as long as possible, and most trainers agree that doing shorter sets of planks is actually more effective than holding a plank for too long.

The post Planking Mistakes and How to Fix Them appeared first on yourdailysportfix.com.

Fitness Level

If you’re already active, you won’t have trouble holding a plank for an extensive period of time, but that’s not the case with newbies. Most experts agree that 10 seconds is a good place to start, and it’s quite enough for an average person.

Back Pains

Another reason why experts recommend avoiding longer planks is the fact they can put a strain on your back. If you’re already struggling with lower back pain, avoid the risk of injury by sticking to 10-second long intervals.

Intervals and Intensity

Short intervals that last for 10 to 20 seconds are much more beneficial than long holds. If you find yourself doing a one-minute long plank with ease, consider amping up your intensity instead of doing long holds.

The post How Long Should You Actually Hold a Plank? appeared first on yourdailysportfix.com.

Palms pressed onto the floor and toes kissing the ground, your plank will help give your ab more core strength. Keep these simple reminders in mind to achieve the best plank and to keep planking for longer.

Do Short Sequences

Instead of going for more than a minute planks – try doing short intervals several times during a workout. You can hold it for up to 10 seconds and repeat this process 5-8 times to increase your endurance. Short planks can be more time-efficient and after a few times, you’ll notice that it starts getting much easier and less intense.

Stay Afloat

One of the most common mistakes that a lot of people make (and that’s totally fine!) is that the shoulders start sinking. This can happen when you sometimes forget to breathe properly or if you haven’t eaten a proper meal before the workout. Maintaining a plank means that your upper body needs to be stable. So make sure you’re hydrated and in a workout state of mind to achieve the best plank. You can do it!

Workout With a Buddy

Bringing a friend to your workout can increase your motivation to hit the gym. They also make for a great conversation buddy and motivator while working out!

The post Small Reminders to Achieve the Perfect Plank appeared first on yourdailysportfix.com.

Improper hip position

Your abdominal muscles won’t be properly engaged if you rely on your lower back, and not your hips, to support your body weight. Keep your hips in line with your head and avoid dropping them toward the floor if you want your plank to be pitch-perfect.

Arching your back

Poor neck alignment is robbing you of a good workout, and you must avoid it at all costs. If your neck isn’t straight and the head is dropped forward or lifted up while doing planks, you’ll end up putting undue pressure on your spine.

Wrong shoulder alignment

Improper shoulder alignment can also lead to minor injuries. Always remember to keep your hips in line with your shoulders, and avoid shrugging them during the workout. Tilting the shoulders in front of or behind the elbows can overload them and cause significant pain.

The post 3 Common Mistakes to Avoid While Doing Planks appeared first on yourdailysportfix.com.

Looking Straight Ahead

Your head and neck should be aligned with your spine and the rest of your body, which means you should be looking at the floor while doing a plank. Keeping your head in a neutral position and not looking up or straight ahead is important in order to avoid a neck strain or spine injuries.

Lowering Or Lifting The Hips

To achieve the perfect plank position, your entire body should form a straight line, which means you shouldn’t make the mistake of lowering or lifting your hips too high. The only way to achieve this is to engage your core muscle, which is the whole point of this exercise.

Holding a Plank Too Long

People usually think that holding a plank for a longer period of time will get them better results, but this isn’t always true. The goal is to engage your muscles and not hold for as long as possible, and most trainers agree that doing shorter sets of planks is actually more effective than holding a plank for too long.

The post Planking Mistakes and How to Fix Them appeared first on yourdailysportfix.com.

Fitness Level

If you’re already active, you won’t have trouble holding a plank for an extensive period of time, but that’s not the case with newbies. Most experts agree that 10 seconds is a good place to start, and it’s quite enough for an average person.

Back Pains

Another reason why experts recommend avoiding longer planks is the fact they can put a strain on your back. If you’re already struggling with lower back pain, avoid the risk of injury by sticking to 10-second long intervals.

Intervals and Intensity

Short intervals that last for 10 to 20 seconds are much more beneficial than long holds. If you find yourself doing a one-minute long plank with ease, consider amping up your intensity instead of doing long holds.

The post How Long Should You Actually Hold a Plank? appeared first on yourdailysportfix.com.

Palms pressed onto the floor and toes kissing the ground, your plank will help give your ab more core strength. Keep these simple reminders in mind to achieve the best plank and to keep planking for longer.

Do Short Sequences

Instead of going for more than a minute planks – try doing short intervals several times during a workout. You can hold it for up to 10 seconds and repeat this process 5-8 times to increase your endurance. Short planks can be more time-efficient and after a few times, you’ll notice that it starts getting much easier and less intense.

Stay Afloat

One of the most common mistakes that a lot of people make (and that’s totally fine!) is that the shoulders start sinking. This can happen when you sometimes forget to breathe properly or if you haven’t eaten a proper meal before the workout. Maintaining a plank means that your upper body needs to be stable. So make sure you’re hydrated and in a workout state of mind to achieve the best plank. You can do it!

Workout With a Buddy

Bringing a friend to your workout can increase your motivation to hit the gym. They also make for a great conversation buddy and motivator while working out!

The post Small Reminders to Achieve the Perfect Plank appeared first on yourdailysportfix.com.

Improper hip position

Your abdominal muscles won’t be properly engaged if you rely on your lower back, and not your hips, to support your body weight. Keep your hips in line with your head and avoid dropping them toward the floor if you want your plank to be pitch-perfect.

Arching your back

Poor neck alignment is robbing you of a good workout, and you must avoid it at all costs. If your neck isn’t straight and the head is dropped forward or lifted up while doing planks, you’ll end up putting undue pressure on your spine.

Wrong shoulder alignment

Improper shoulder alignment can also lead to minor injuries. Always remember to keep your hips in line with your shoulders, and avoid shrugging them during the workout. Tilting the shoulders in front of or behind the elbows can overload them and cause significant pain.

The post 3 Common Mistakes to Avoid While Doing Planks appeared first on yourdailysportfix.com.