Planks, do them at home and get stronger

Doing abdominal exercises alone may not be the most effective way to build muscle and strengthen your core; doing planks at home could be the best alternative.

A torso workout means much more than having a beach-ready body, as effectively working your core can improve your stability, reduce injuries, and maintain your mobility.

But if you are continually doing crunches and squats at home in the hope of getting a six-pack, you may not reach your goal.

So, try planks, which are a great alternative to crunches, as they can help improve your endurance and core stability.

A plank isn't very difficult to do, but holding the position is a completely different story.

High plank:

Start in a push-up position, keep your palms and feet firmly planted on the floor, your back straight, and your core tight.

A sagging posterior or lower back during planks can cause lower back pain later on, so make sure not to compromise your form… don't let your head sink…

Low plank

Lower yourself onto your forearms, maintaining the same position and form as the high plank.

Planks activate more muscles

Planks are more effective core exercises than crunches or squats because the latter can be hard on your back, causing pain in many cases.

In addition, they do not only work your core but your entire body, since they require your arms, legs, and all your abdominal muscles, making them a full-body exercise and an efficient way to achieve results.

Planks improve your posture

By strengthening your back, chest, shoulders, neck, and abdominals, this exercise makes it easier to keep your shoulders back and your lower back in a neutral position while sitting or standing—two vital components of good posture.

Planks also help you develop isometric strength in your core muscles, giving you the ability to avoid hunching while standing or sitting for long periods.

Planks increase your flexibility

Although it may not seem like it, planks are an excellent way to stretch the lower half of your body; they lengthen the hamstrings and the arches of your feet, making them both a strength- and stretching exercise.

• If you want to stretch your sides, side planks with one arm extended can target that specific area of your body.

Planks are easy to modify

Although classic planks are an excellent exercise, they can also be modified and adapted to suit what your body needs.

• Dropping down onto your forearms in the plank position is one modification you can make.
• Increasing the length of time you hold the pose is another way to maximize the exercise; start with a 15- to 30-second hold and increase your time from there.

Do planks at home

Try incorporating planks into your daily routine, attempting variations such as side planks, knee taps, or other movements.

Iván, our trainer from MM Fit, shows us a 20-minute workout to firm up your abs with planks , strengthening both your core and torso.

Remember that you need to warm up before training and cool down by stretching after your workout to prevent injuries and keep your musculoskeletal system active.