Comments on: How to Improve Core Stability Part 4: Functional Exercises – The Plank and Its Wacky Variations

By: Work your own damn ‘core’! « It has begun…

Work your own damn ‘core’! « It has begun… — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 00:40:25 +0000

[...] P.S. To learn more about building and strengthening your core, you can find some pretty good exercises here. [...]

By: Abdominal Exercises: Exercise Your Oblique Muscles to Get Rid of the Love Handles | Lose Weight Steps

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 17:52:31 +0000

[...] Part 1-A Remedy for Back Pain, Part 2-The Spinal Neutral Test,Â Part 3-Challenging Your Core,Â andÂ Part 4- Functional Exercises: The Plank and it’s Wacky Variations and alternate days between all the exercises. Why don’t you get out of your chair, have a [...]

By: Amelia Burton

Amelia Burton — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 02:32:59 +0000

Hi Rusty,
Yes I saw your abs on your website and yes I’d wash my clothes on that washboard!!!!
I love your website and encourage my readers to visit it http://fitnessblackbook.com/

We should chat some more…
Amelia

By: Rusty - Fitness Black Book

Rusty - Fitness Black Book — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 22:40:44 +0000

Amelia,

Great post and nice site…I’m friends with Scott and Mike over at LifeSpotlight and I saw your comment.

Anyway…I have done nothing but planks for my abs for the past 6 years and have an extremely sharp 6-pack these days. What I really like about planks is that it is an isometric movement which builds definition without mass.

Another benefit to this exercise is that it is good for the spine. People who have suffered a back injury, like myself, have to be extremely careful that they don’t irritate their back with crunches.

Thanks for spreading the word about this wonderful exercise. You will help a lot of people get a firm mid-section without the injury potential that so many other ab movements bring.

Cheers,

Rusty

By: Abdominal Exercises: Exercise Your Oblique Muscles to Get Rid of the Love Handles

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 21:42:08 +0000

[...] for a Marathon, Half Marathon or Fun Run Over 50s Exercise – Seniors Training with Logan FranklinCore Stability Part 4: Functional Exercises -the plank and its wacky variationsExpert Answers: Spin Classes and RPM Classes. How many Calories Will I Burn? And Other [...]

By: Amelia Burton

Amelia Burton — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 21:23:19 +0000

Hi Harvey,

Sucking in your belly button increases intra abdominal pressure (IAP) which acts as a stabilizer to the spine. By drawing in your belly, button, the stomach and back muscles act like a corset to hold your spine in place.
Alternatively, pushing your tummy out or bearing outwards on a weight belt may feel like you are increasing pressure but it is not effectively increasing your stability.
Hope that helps,
Amelia

By: Amelia Burton

Amelia Burton — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 21:22:37 +0000

Hi Tom,
Yes abs can be such a bore, so what better way to spice things up than throw in some plank variations. Even if you feel like a fool when you fall off the ball.. who me? Never!!!
Good to hear from you,
Amelia

By: Tom Parker - Free Fitness Tips

Tom Parker - Free Fitness Tips — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 11:16:26 +0000

I knew about the first two but have never seen the other variations. Always good to get some new abdominal exercises and even better if they help with core stability too.

By: Harvey Adams

Harvey Adams — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 15:39:19 +0000

Wow who ever thought the plank had so many variations! You talk about sucking in your belly button, can you explain why thats better than bearing down and pushing it out?