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QUESTION: John, what is your recommendation and/or can you explain the different benefits of the high plank vs. the plank while on elbows? The Elbow Plank VS Top-of-Pushup-Position Plank ANSWER: The high plank, also known as the “top-of-pushup position,” is identical to the typical elbow plank, except for the fact that your arms are extended and fully locked out. This accomplishes two things: Last week, one of our Burn The Fat Inner Circle members asked me for details about how to do the side plank exercise correctly. I wish I could have just sent her a link to a simple instructional video, but it appears that most of the side plank exercise videos offer little more guidance than “squeeze your abs, and keep you back straight, etc.” The blatant lack of attention to detail is staggering. So, I decided to film an instructional video offering all the nitty-gritty details about how to do the side plank exercise the right way. It’s a bit on the long side as I tend to blab a little bit. Though some of you have told me you like the longer videos, and I took the least amount of time that I could justify to explain all the relevant points without turning this into a Hollywood production. Now, before we begin, I already filmed a detailed instructional video for the front elbow plank exercise: The Right Way to do the Plank Exercise. If you haven’t seen that video yet, then it will help you to internalize the basic techniques of front planking before moving on to the more advanced side plank, and I’d recommend you view it first. Alrighty, check out the side plank exercise… How to do the Side Plank ExerciseSo, there’s a little story behind this one. I spend a lot of time helping beginner and seasoned trainee’s with their questions about health, fitness, and training at the Burn The Fat: Inner Circle fat loss support community. I’ve been a contributor and forum moderator there since 2006, and in that time I’ve met some pretty cool people. I’ll be honest and up front when I say that one of my personal favorite members is a woman named Jan, who is the ring leader of the Siffer-Ladies!  The front elbow plank sans grimacing face. Now, don’t let the cutesy name fool you – these ladies are not your average gym trainee’s. When I picture the Siffer-Ladies showing up at the gym, it’s like an old Western movie where everyone clears out of the bar when the outlaws arrive. The Siffer-Ladies are notorious fitness outlaws! While the so-called “civilized” women are barely breaking a sweat on the Elliptical machine while watching Oprah, the Siffer-Ladies are cranking out endless reps of alligator crawls, ab wheel rollouts, pushups, pullups and partner wheelbarrow walking. They’re hardcore – pure and simple. Some people in their gym even think they’re crazy (I can relate to that!). Jan has been somewhat of a training disciple of mine and she’s built some pretty impressive fitness levels over the years using mostly bodyweight training. You see, Jan is a lifestyle fitness trainee. She’s found something that works for her, and she’s been sticking with it for years. She trains because she loves it… in a sick sort of way (again, I can relate!). Every once in awhile, the Siffer-Ladies come up with some crazy idea like holding a plank for 5 minutes straight. I don’t know what possesses them… it’s like they just have an insatiable hunger for self-inflicted torment and indescribable agony – and I give in every time. Jan contacted me a couple weeks ago asking for advice about getting from 3 minutes to a 5 minute plank. After offering her some suggestions, I’ve been thinking about it ever since. I’ve never had any of my clients do a plank for longer than 3 minutes, and I’ve never done one longer than that either. It’s uncharted territory. So, you know me… I just had to know if I could do it myself! I’ll be honest, I had my doubts if I’d be able to complete the 5 minute plank test since I haven’t done any specific plank training in years, but I set my mind to the task and here’s what it looked like… The 5 Minute Plank For Core Strength, Stability, and Rock-Hard Abs |
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