The short answer to whether planks on the elbows (which are often called forearm planks) or planks on the hands (which are also called straight-arm planks) are more effective is that planks on the elbows are more effective for targeting more of the core muscles.
Bottom line: A forearm plank will help you target those abs more effectively, but a standard straight-arm plank is better for total-body conditioning. For best overall results, switch it up frequently and add in some dynamic plank movements, as well.
The straight-arm plank engages the triceps and the core, being the most preferred plank drill for those who are willing to strengthen their upper body. Meanwhile, the forearm plank helps you strengthen the transverse abdominis muscle and works better for people who target their abs.
Stay up: The straight-arm plank is more difficult than the elbow plank, so if you're finding that you need more of a challenge as you hang out on your forearms, focus on perfecting a plank just on your hands. Plank on a BOSU: Get unstable by resting your forearms or palms on a BOSU or exercise ball.
The full plank is a more challenging variation than the elbow or forearm plank as there is less contact with the floor, meaning the body must work harder to keep stable. Because there is more involvement from the shoulders in the full plank, the elbow plank actually puts greater emphasis on the core.
It will not only help you lose belly fat, but build every muscle, which I find much better." However, if you still want to do planks in the gym and you don't have the opportunity for a trainer to observe you and help you do them correctly, you may be doing them wrong.
Reverse plank
While a traditional plank targets the front of your body, this version targets the back of your body too, making it even harder.
Plank Scorecard
You're below average if . . . you can hold the standard plank for 60 seconds or more. You're about average if . . . you can hold the feet elevated plank for about 10 to 50 seconds. You're above average if . . . you can hold the feet elevated plank for 60 seconds or more.
Most experts suggest anywhere from 10 up to 30 seconds is plenty. “Focus on doing multiple sets of smaller amounts of time,” says L'Italien. As you progress, you can extend your plank for up to one or even two minutes, but don't go beyond that.
Reverse plank
If you're planning to try a plank for weight loss, why not try a reverse plank? Reverse planks contract the core muscles and work out the region, so as to burn fat. Not just that, the reverse plank also helps you achieve a great posture.
But for a deeper (and arguably more useful) burn, try taking the plank into a low position. When your forearms are planted on the ground, your abdominals are challenged even more than in a high plank when your arms can take on some of your body weight.
Tips to Gain Maximum Benefits from Plank Exercise
Try performing the plank for a minimum of one minute at a time. Start by doing 1 plank a day to slowly 3 to 10 a day to reap the maximum benefits. Then, slowly also try side planks which can help improve your flexibility.
That being said, a minute tends to be an ideal time frame for getting the most from a plank. “Longer time under tension is more of a challenge,” Matheny says. But, he adds, if you can easily plank for a minute, you increase the difficulty by contracting your abs more, and squeezing your glutes and quads more.
There are many non-aesthetic benefits to planking
"A strong core is vital for injury prevention and will massively improve your workouts and ability to move more, too. "Planking is also great for arm, neck, and shoulder strength, as you need to hold your bodyweight.
Yes, planks build muscle in your rectus abdominus, transverse abdominus, internal and external obliques. However, if you're looking to maximise the amount of size you add to your six-pack abs, you might also want to add some flexion-type movements like crunches.
D., you only need to hold a plank for 10 seconds to work the core and see results. While some personal trainers disagree, arguing that you should start at 10 seconds and try to build up to 60 seconds, McGill believes that holding three sets of 10-second planks is better for the average person's back health.
You are not engaging your core
If you don't engage it, holding a plank will be very difficult. So, keep it straight and tight. Don't suck your stomach in because then you won't be able to breathe but don't leave it loose either. Engaging the core is something you'll learn with practice.
Lift your knees off the ground and push your feet back, bringing your body to full extension. Once you're there, make sure your feet are shoulder-width apart to start. This will help you feel more stable in the position, having your feet closer together will make the exercise more challenging.
Planks are an endurance exercise in which a single position is held, whereas push-ups involve movement: You lift and lower your body from a prone position. That makes push-ups harder than planks, as more upper-body strength is required. Accordingly, push-ups can do more to build upper body strength than planks can.
Stacking your feet on top of each other instead of having one foot in front of the other also makes the move harder. Beginners will want to start with a Side Plank from their forearm and knees or knee (you can bend your bottom knee and have your top leg out straight instead of stacking both knees on top of each other).