the plank and how long before you saw results?

thanks

I know it wouldn't just take fat from my stomach, but they're the muscles being used most so they'd tone up most.

thanks

I know it wouldn't just take fat from my stomach, but they're the muscles being used most so they'd tone up most.

You don't seem to understand.

Sure planks are better for your lower back and develop greater core stability than situps/crunches/etc however they do next to nothing for fat loss or gaining muscle, the two key factors of 'toning'.

If you want to see a noticeable difference in a couple of months time you need to clean up your diet (ie; eat a decent diet, probably consume a calorie controlled diet) and you need to get plenty of quality exercise (ie; walk 3-5 miles per day, 1-3 sessions of cardio per week and 1-3 sessions of free weights +/- calisthenics).
.

thats pretty harsh.

OP, as has been said, i would recommend that you do it on the floor rather than on your bed, and that the only two points of your body in contact with the floor should be your toes and elbows-wrists/the length of your forearm, like this:



i think thats the most effective way of doing it, and ive heard that over a minute in that position is good for a fitness noob hope this helps a bit

its not even worth me responding.

please just go to bodybuilding.com female section and start a thread saying you know nothing, and need to lose weight. the chances are someone will be pathetic enough to spend 30mins telling you all the basic info you need.

well arent you a little ray of sunshine. by answering her question, im not being harsh, im being helpful (or trying to be ) by telling her the most effective technique for what shes been doing. doing the plank properly would definitely NOT give you carpet burns- if youve had carpet burns from doing the plank then id suggest you revise your method. im not saying that your first suggestion to OP was wrong, anyway, just that it was rude.

I'm female BTW if that makes much of a difference.

My stomach's a bit on the pudgy side of life (32" waist!!!) and i'm going on holiday this summer so want to lose at least some of it and firm it up a bit.

I heard doing the plank is better than sit-ups ????

What's the most effective way of doing this? I've been doing it with my hands, forearms and knees on the bed and lifting my stomach and feet up. I tried with my toes instead of knees on the ebd but they gave in, less than a minute into it. Is this a safe/ good position to do it in? I can do about 3 minutes at a time in this position (is this good for a noob?)

Has anyone else done this? How many minutes and how many times a day have you do this or similar and how soon did you/ other notice a difference, either in firmness or size of stomach? I do know that it'll take several months to lose quite a bit, i'm just wondering how long it is until you start to notice a difference and can do it for longer?

And as you do it more you can do it for longer, but is there a maximum safe amount of time to do it for in one go?

The plank ...... can help you build up pain endurance.

I'm female BTW if that makes much of a difference.

My stomach's a bit on the pudgy side of life (32" waist!!!) and i'm going on holiday this summer so want to lose at least some of it and firm it up a bit.

I heard doing the plank is better than sit-ups ????

What's the most effective way of doing this? I've been doing it with my hands, forearms and knees on the bed and lifting my stomach and feet up. I tried with my toes instead of knees on the ebd but they gave in, less than a minute into it. Is this a safe/ good position to do it in? I can do about 3 minutes at a time in this position (is this good for a noob?)

Has anyone else done this? How many minutes and how many times a day have you do this or similar and how soon did you/ other notice a difference, either in firmness or size of stomach? I do know that it'll take several months to lose quite a bit, i'm just wondering how long it is until you start to notice a difference and can do it for longer?

And as you do it more you can do it for longer, but is there a maximum safe amount of time to do it for in one go?

thanks

I know it wouldn't just take fat from my stomach, but they're the muscles being used most so they'd tone up most.

You have absolutely no idea. No one cares about the plank. Lose weight through interval training and get on a weightlifting routine to build muscle, with squats, deadlifts, dips etc. which strengthen your core.

The plank will do **** all for fat loss and strength.

The plank won't help you lose weight but can help you build up pain endurance. Just don't assume that it will give you a toned stomach, you need to diet, do cardio and weights for that.
Regarding the plank, do it on your arms and feet. It doesn't matter if you cannot do it for very long. A few months ago I could only do a minute but, as my fitness improved and I was able to do more sit ups, I managed to get 4 minutes 15 last time I timed myself. Do the plank several times a week and try and hold it for a few seconds more each time. Do it on the floor,as the mattress on your bed will be soft and affect your plank. If you are worried about carpet burns, as some people said, use a yoga mat.
Hope this helps, but remember plank alone will not give you a toned stomach.

I do eat healthily and I usually walk 4 miles a day 5 times a week.

With all due respect the majority of people who make such a claim don't. Likewise eating 'healthily' doesn't necessarily mean that you are eating properly, whether that's too much food in general or you're still making the wrong food choices.

If your diet was that good you would be a little on the chubby side and you wouldn't be here looking for advice

Forget about the plank.

Start doing cardiovascular exercise and eating healthy to lose weight.