Pet Care: Weekend Wrap Up and Why Plank

As the weekend comes to an end, I hope you are all planning your schedules for the week and figuring out which Barre class (or classes) you are going to attend. How often do we just go to class and go through the motions without focusing on improving form and challenging ourselves? I think most of us would agree that we all could improve in one area or another. Whether it's going one inch deeper in the squat, adding one more pound to upper body weights or just being more aware of our body movements and breathing. One of the best moves of SB Barre (well one of many) is the plank. Since I missed Feature Friday...I'm going to focus on plank this week.

The main reason why we plank in barre class is for building core strength because the pose requires engaging SO many muscles.

10 Reasons Why We Plank:

10. It develops core strength for everyday activities

9. It improves posture

8. It makes you a more efficient runner or walker

7. It improves stability

6. Increases upper body strength

5. Strengthens hips and pelvic floor

4. Offers modifications making it a great move for any fitness level

3. Increases lower back strength and helps reduce injury

2. Options for progressions are endless

1. It's a move that you can do ANYWHERE

Below are some of the variations of plank that you will see in a SB Barre or Body Barre class. All of these variations can be done on your knees as a modification.

Proper Set Up:

1. Plant the hands directly under the shoulders. For Forearm plank, your elbows should still be directly under the shoulders.

2. Ground the toes into the floor and squeeze the glutes to stabilize the body (there is no such things as too much squeezing of those glutes).

3. Neutralize the neck and spine by looking at a spot on the floor about 12 inches out in front. Remember to keep your head in line with your back. This is one of the biggest things that I notice while teaching barre.

Forearm Plank: