The plank. What looks so simple is actually rather challenging. I never really “planked” until last year when Girl Gone Healthy posted up a one month planking challenge. The challenge…a plank a day. I figured I would give it a try.

Wow! I truly didn’t realize how many muscles it took to hold a basic plank position. This one simple exercise targets your core and improves your posture. I started the challenge with holding a plank for 45 seconds. Boy could I feel it. I felt it in my arms, my core, and my legs. Each day I tried to get more time. I ended the month long challenge with holding a plank position for 7 minutes, someting I never thought I would be able to do. It’s grueling and your body shakes the more you challenge yourself, but I felt such a difference. I was stonger and had better posture. I noticed that I could get through my more challenging workouts with more ease. Although there is no way I could hold a 7 minute plank right now, if I started doing them every day again I know I could get there.

I found this great video from FitFluential that gives you the basics on how to perform a proper plank. Give it a try.

So here is my challenge to you. Do a 30 second plank.  Just 30 seconds of your time (the length of ONE commercial). Work yourself up to a full minute and incorporate planks into your weekly routine. It’s a quick exercise that engages your entire body. And when you’re at that point when you feel the heat hitting your face and your arms are shaking…try to rock out another 10 seconds. You can do it!

My tip: Look through your playlist for a song that’s length will meet your goal time. Listen to it, breathe, focus…and even sing if you can. Try to make it to the end before you’re lying on the mat wondering how you’re going to get up.