The FastDay Forum

I'm keen to try this but have a shoulder injury (from a fall at the gym) that won't go away. Might instead look into the 30-day squat challenge from the same website. Looks hard!

[carieoates]

Thankyou @MaryAnnthats brilliant.
Day one done for daughter as well.

I'm in - should prob do in front of mirror to check technique!

Anyone got a link to a good website describing the technique? I've had a go a few times, but my stomach goes in a very peculiar shape, so I wonder if I'm doing it wrong

That's a great idea . I'll join you! I just did my first 20 sec. yay!

@minumonline, when you follow the link there's a video below the text and above the image. The direct link to the video is:https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=kEID5CtKwjg. I hope that will help a bit.

Good luck!

That's helpful, thanks. I tend to ignore videos and look for text ! I'm going to start on Saturday - out the house all day tomoz

Yes, with my Pilates teacher hat on, I'd say please do check your technique! If done properly, it should involve both deep abdominals (transversus) and rectus abdominus (6 pack muscle), also major glutes and shoulder stability (shoulders away from ears and gliding down the back). If a plank is too hard to start with, try just weight-bearing on all 4s with feet tucked under (bunny style) until you get used to weight bearing through your wrists.

If you look in a mirror when doing it, your whole trunk should be in a straight line, no sags into the back.

Good luck! I've never timed myself but I'm just about to try & see what I come up with.

[wildmissus]

I'm another pilates person and the plank is something we do every now and then and it hurts! I didn't know there was such a thing as the plank challenge so from Monday I'm in.

@Minumonline, in pilates we 'zip and hollow', this means pulling up the muscles from the pelvic floor to the belly button then the belly button to the spine, so pulling your core muscles up and back which should give you a better position/posture. Zipping and hollowing is something you can do even when you are walking to improve your core strength. I still have a wibbley belly but I very rarely get a sore back any more .

I absolutely hate planking. As far as technique I had a trainer who used to tell us "bums down we don't want any bicycle racks"
Oh and no thanks I will not be joining you

Thanks @jools7 and @wildmissus for the advice on form. It's so important and too often ignored with exercise!

Unfortunately, I don't have a mirror where I exercise (even our little gym doesn't have one, though I'm going to request it). I have a mirror in my house, though not really at the right level, and in a room with a hard floor. I tried to do a plank in there today and got a little shock at how my belly looks when I do that! It wasn't necessarily a form problem, but a loose skin one. Ick. Ick. Ick. I might be desperate enough to try one of those creams, even though I suspect it will be useless.

I absolutely hate planking. As far as technique I had a trainer who used to tell us "bums down we don't want any bicycle racks"
Oh and no thanks I will not be joining you

I don't think I truly love any exercise besides running. Maybe swimming if it's in the sea. I'm doing this because I know my core needs work. The fact that these low times are so hard for me says a lot. Back when I was doing the standing desk (I need to set that up again--my arm is better now, no excuses!) I read a lot about how a strong core makes standing all day easier. Obviously a flat belly would be nice, too. But to each their own. Do you do other exercises to work your core?

Count me in.

I did this a few months ago and got up to 50 seconds. I didn't follow any program, just held it for as long as I could every day.

I could see a difference in my tummy area and top of arms (bingo wings) and felt it really did make a difference.

I will start later this morning following the 30day program. Thank you for reminding me of this.

Lesley

I saw this yesterday and did my first 20 sec in the evening, let's see how it goes and who can claim bragging rights on day 30.

hi @MaryAnn, yes there are heaps of other exercises for your core, and in fact you should use your core everytime you do any exercise, even running. I'll post some later for you & others who might be interested. There are some easy, medium and advanced ones of course, so I'll try some of each when I have a mo.

But in the meantime, do try loving your body as it is now, even at the cost of some loose skin!!!

@MaryAnn my whole exercise routine is rather slack at the moment. I used to exercise 5 days a week doing lots of cardio and strength which included core work. Lately I'm lucky to do HIT once a week.