Achieving and maintaining a strong core is pivotal for both athletic performance and aesthetics, and planks are one of the staple exercises to achieve that. Now, let’s delve into why they might always feel challenging.
Planks, when done correctly, engage multiple muscle groups simultaneously. While the primary target is your core (including your rectus abdominis, which contributes to the six-pack look, and your deep core stabilizers), planks also involve your shoulders, chest, back, glutes, and even legs to some extent. With so many muscles working in tandem, it’s natural to feel the intensity.
However, the perceived difficulty in planks often arises from a couple of reasons:
- Progressive Overload: As with all exercises, our bodies adapt to the stresses we put them under. In the case of planks, as your core becomes stronger, you might naturally hold the position longer or opt for more challenging variations. As you push your boundaries, the exercise remains challenging, similar to how lifting heavier weights feels hard even though you’ve become stronger.
- Fatigue Accumulation: If you’re incorporating planks in the middle or end of a workout, other exercises might fatigue some of the assisting muscles. When you get to the plank, those muscles are less available to help, making the plank feel more difficult.
- Mental Component: Holding a plank requires mental fortitude. The burning sensation and the urge to drop down are as much psychological as they are physical. Over time, even as you get stronger physically, the mental challenge remains.
- Form Maintenance: Ensuring that you maintain correct form throughout can make planks tougher. As you focus on keeping your hips level, squeezing your glutes, and preventing your lower back from arching, the exercise’s intensity might feel consistent or even increase.
While you’re certainly getting stronger and more resilient, planks maintain their difficulty due to the combination of physical and mental factors. This is a testament to their effectiveness in core strengthening. Just remember, the challenge is an indicator of growth and progress.