Abdominal strength is a popular topic – a significant chunk of the global population is in pursuit of the illustrious six pack. But aside from the aesthetics, there are countless physiological benefits associated with building a strong core (reduces risk of lower back pain, promotes improved posture, facilitates better motion etc.); however over the summer season, the aesthetic angle inevitably takes front seat! Through my work as a personal trainer, I encounter more and more people who, whilst becoming more health conscious (great!), still have under-developed core strength. It’s not unusual to sit in a slumped position at the desk for 9+ hours each day, which doesn’t require you to engage your core at all. As a common consequence, people develop problems with their pelvis, hips, lower back… This post is about the Side Plank, which is one of my favourite ways to train the muscular girdle around our midsections, and it’s a proper challenge against yourself! Click MORE to read about it…
For this post, I thought I’d discuss the benefits of the Side Plank, the traditional plank’s younger (but slightly more advanced) brother. The side plank is a compound movement (i.e. it recruits multiple muscles simultaneously) which is revered because it targets your entire core and hones in on the external and internal Obliques (the ‘corset’ holding you in at your waist) and the often-weak muscle ‘quadratus lumborum’ which connects the pelvis to the spine, and when seated at a computer for hours on end, is in a state of perpetual contraction, leading to reduced blood flow, fascia adhesions, back fatigue and eventually, spasm.
5. Repeat for 5 cycles.
6. Pursue a session of gentle stretching after the abdominal exercises, to promote lengthened and oxygenated muscles.
For more health and wellness tips, check out https://www.supersavvyme.co.uk/health-wellbeing/diet-fitness where you can see my guest blog post too 🙂
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I WAS WEARING:
Pants: Freddy Wr.Up Classics in Melange Grey
Top: Monreal London Tribeca Collection Hooded Zip Top (coming soon)
Trainers: Custom ID Nike Air Max (design your own here)