<p>I can also feel the difference in my abdomen. Some folks (like me) shouldn’t push to hard. I have bad neck/shoulder issues and I thought I was such a hot shot that i did 30 3x on Tuesday…I think I now have to start over at 10 or 15. </p>
<p>I don’t know why, but for or me the high plank seems easier than the forearm plank. I wonder if it is because I am holding my hands together on the forearm version.</p>
<p>Like I mentioned, I have been doing planks and side planks as a part of my regular workout for a year now. But I can’t advance any further in my planks than about 60 seconds because I get an awful pain in my shoulder blades, especially with side plank. I do a lot of upper body strength work but my shoulders just don’t seem to get any more resilient. </p>
<p>Something I like to do that is similar to plank, but seems to put less stress on my shoulders, is an elephant press-- I got it from my Brooke Siler pilates dvd. You put one fist in the opposite hand and get into plank position on your elbows, then lift your bottom up with your abdominals and hold, then lower back into plank. Repeat. It is probably harder than just holding a plank, but doing a few sets of these vs holding myself in plank forever hurts less. I like using an ab roller too for the same reason-- when I do this I get wrist pain, however, unless I wear lifting gloves to improve grip.</p>
<p>If side planks are brutal, I like what Brooke calls a “variation on side plank” from the same DVD. You start in a kneeling position and then position yourself so that you are balanced on one knee with your arm out to the floor at shoulder level for balance. You lift and outstretch the upper leg and rotate the upper arm up, to your toes, down, forward, and back up. Repeat a few times and really feel the stretch in your side. It seems to more gently work the hip and side abs in preparation for a real side plank, at least it did for me. I have a really weak hip on one side and this exercise seems to help.</p>
<p>I am not sure if anyone mentioned this yet, but here is the trick one my fitness instructors shared. While doing a plank, put a tip of your tongue on the top of your mouth. For some reason it alleviates the shoulder and neck pain. This should also help with any other shoulder exercises. YMMV.</p>
<p>Hmm… today is a workout day off for me and now I am tempted to go home and do some planks just so I can test that!</p>
<p>Kajon- when I was doing PT they had me do the straight arm plank. I don’t know if one way or the other is better.
Planks done for the day. Trying to do the side planks also. I find one side much easier to do. Also did 40 seconds on the chair sit. Up to 15 counter push-ups.</p>
<p>Does anyone have any core strengthening exercises for someone with a torn rotator cuff along with having had cervical spine surgery.</p>
<p>I have been having shoulder problems, possibly impingement, so my trainer has switched me to leg drops. Lie on back with back pressed to floor. Raise both legs and drop until the point where you can no longer keep back flat. I did two sets today, holding each for 30 seconds. I was definitely shaking.</p>
<p>I am close to FINISHING the challenge! Today is 4.5 min and tomorrow is 5 min. It is crazy hard. The last bit of the challenge has a rapid increase in time. Thank goodness my husband gave me some verbal support yesterday. I hope he will be around tonight to help me do the 4. 5.</p>
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<p>I highly recommend fitness pilates (on a mat) or reformer pilates. My problem is that many mat pilates classes are kind of meh in the club I am going to, while reformer pilates classes are expensive. However, in my club they teach their own version of barre (ballet type of workout). We exercise the whole body, which includes holding variations of different planks. </p>
<p>If you have access to barre classes, I recommend you try it. You will strengthen not only you core, you will lift your booty and tone your muscles. This class is good for both men and women. In my club we get quite a few men in the barre classes.</p>
<p>Yahoo!! 4.5 minutes DONE! Tomorrow, I’ll make it to the ultimate…5 minutes. Then, hmm, will I keep it up?</p>
<p>We’re supposed to keep this up after the month is over ?!?! ;)</p>
<p>Did Day Seven! For some reason I’m not feeling comfortable. I’m psyching myself out. Nothing hurts; I just feel anxious just a few seconds in. I’ve been doing this first thing in the morning in my bathroom on the rug because I’m afraid that if I wait until I get to the living room I’ll forget to do it, but it’s not the most comfortable set up.</p>
<p>Do y’all plank on carpet or a hard floor? I just assumed it would hurt on a hard surface.</p>
<p>How’d it go, china?</p>
<p>I finished Day Eight. I tried a hard surface this morning. I think I’ll switch back to the bathroom rug.</p>
<p>I DID it!!! 5 minutes. Now what?</p>
<p>Youdon’tsay - I always do it on a carpeted surface with sneakers. I found the way the challenge ramped up the time at the end a bit crazy. </p>
<p>I wish all of the you the best of luck.</p>
<p>Congrats, china!</p>
<p>I think I’ll have to do that, wearing sneakers. I was just trying to jump out of bed and do it first thing so that I would establish a routine and not be sidetracked. Now, I’ll just jump out of bed, put in my tennis shoes and do it!</p>
<p>To those who are finding a simple plank too boring or unchallenging:
[5</a> Minute Plank Workout](<a href=“http://instagram.com/p/jF5L9kMxpJ/]5”>http://instagram.com/p/jF5L9kMxpJ/)</p>
<p>As you gain strength, you can increase the time with the varieties of planks. You can add weights or weighted vest, as well.</p>
<p>Woohoo! Did one minute for Day Nine! </p>
<p>I decided to wear shoes and plank in the living room, and I like that much better. I hope I can stay in the habit of doing it first thing in the morning.</p>
<p>Am I imagining it, or is it too soon to feel a difference in my core?</p>
<p>I am on day 8. Finding that 45 seconds is a challenge. Not sure how I will manage 60 tomorrow.
Youdontsay- how is having shoes on different?</p>
<p>I am on day 8 also!</p>
<p>It just made me think less about my toes hurting, I guess.</p>