Survived 50 Walking Planks a Day for a Week - You Won't Believe the Results!

I’ve always dreaded walking planks, despite their reputation as a killer bodyweight exercise. They target your core and arm muscles, which sounds great, but the actual experience has been far from enjoyable for me. Determined to overcome my aversion, I decided to commit to doing 50 walking planks every day for a week. The goal was to see if this dreaded move could actually contribute to a stronger core or just become another obstacle in my fitness journey.

Before diving into intense exercises like walking planks, it’s important to consider your personal health and fitness level. If you’re recovering from an injury or returning to exercise after a break, it’s wise to consult a personal trainer to ensure your form is correct. Walking planks might not be suitable for everyone, especially those who have recently given birth or have a history of wrist injuries. Taking these precautions can help prevent potential setbacks and ensure a safe workout routine.

Performing a walking plank, also known as an up-down plank, starts with getting into the plank position on an exercise mat. Keep your palms flat on the floor with your arms straight, ensuring your hands are directly beneath your shoulders. Brace your core as you lower your left elbow to the ground, followed by your right. Pause briefly in this low plank position before pressing back up to the high plank. Mastering this move requires control and proper form to effectively engage your muscles.

Throughout the week-long challenge, I quickly realized that walking planks were not getting easier. Unlike other exercises where I could add intensity over time, walking planks consistently left my arms and core burning after just a few reps. Being a runner, I’m used to lower body workouts, so the upper body strain was new to me. Unlike my regular ab routines, walking planks felt like a full-body workout, making each session more challenging than I had anticipated.

Despite the initial difficulty, completing 50 walking planks each day led to noticeable improvements in my strength. My core muscles and arms felt stronger by the end of the week, a testament to the effectiveness of this exercise. I focused on squeezing my belly button towards my spine to keep my abs engaged and maintained a steady pelvis to avoid rocking side to side. These adjustments not only enhanced my form but also maximized the benefits of each plank.

One of the biggest lessons I learned was the importance of moving slowly and with control during walking planks. Initially, I rushed through the reps to reach my daily goal, but a personal trainer advised me to slow down. By taking my time, my core had to work harder to stabilize my body, and my arms benefited from the controlled movements. Breaking the 50 reps into smaller sets with short breaks also helped maintain proper form and reduce fatigue.

After completing 350 walking planks over a week, I’m still not a fan, but I can’t deny the strength gains in my core and arms. Moving forward, I plan to incorporate walking planks into my home workout routines, using the strategies I learned to make the exercise more manageable. By breaking the reps into shorter sets and focusing on muscle engagement, I hope to reduce my dread and continue reaping the benefits of this challenging exercise.