How long can you ho...
 

Subscribe now and choose from over 30 free gifts worth up to £49 - Plus get £25 to spend in our shop

[Closed] How long can you hold a plank?

45 Posts
37 Users
0 Reactions
307 Views
Posts: 6
Free Member
Topic starter
 

This sort
[img] [/img]

Not this sort
[img] [/img]

I went for a bike fit last week and this was used as a measure of core strength.
Apparently anyone should be able to hold one minute thirty .....

I'm pretty fit and workout so though this would be easy enough....
I'm not ashamed to say that I quivered like a Japanese sky scraper, but managed to crack the time. For the past week I've been reading up and doing it more and can now do a solid 2 mins 20.

Feeling like it's helping me on the bike too.


 
Posted : 09/02/2017 3:00 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Personally find them tedious and torturous. There are more interesting ways of improving core strength.


 
Posted : 09/02/2017 3:05 pm
Posts: 6
Free Member
Topic starter
 

So that's under 1.30 then?


 
Posted : 09/02/2017 3:06 pm
Posts: 3508
Free Member
 

Don't really know why, but decided to do the Plank challenge on the 30 Days app on my phone after talking with the boss one day. Day 30 was a very very very long 7 minutes and 3 seconds.

Yes it was tough, boring as hell but I saw it through. Would I be able to do it now straight off...?? I doubt it. The app builds you up over the 30 days in increments of 20 seconds or so.


 
Posted : 09/02/2017 3:11 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

I wouldn't want to boast about how long I can hold one online 😉


 
Posted : 09/02/2017 3:15 pm
Posts: 0
Full Member
 

Try Tumblr for pics of some rather fetching images of folks doing the plank.. 😯


 
Posted : 09/02/2017 3:22 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

FitnessUA Bikebuoy?


 
Posted : 09/02/2017 3:29 pm
Posts: 14443
Free Member
 

Apparently anyone should be able to hold one minute thirty .

Yeah right! Maybe people who are fit and healthy [i]could[/i] do it ....but not just anyone.


 
Posted : 09/02/2017 3:32 pm
 DezB
Posts: 54367
Free Member
 

Is this something we're just supposed to know? Or do I have to do one and time myself? That'd be like, here's something you've never done before, how come you're rubbish at it.. surely?


 
Posted : 09/02/2017 3:32 pm
Posts: 8906
Free Member
 

Must be talking about these:
[img] [/img]
[img] [/img]


 
Posted : 09/02/2017 3:34 pm
Posts: 4365
Full Member
 

I'm not sure, I really should start doing them again. The eldest has to do them for his occupational therapy he's 9 and does 90 seconds, the mrs is up over 5 minutes now.

I reckon I could do a minute without dying.


 
Posted : 09/02/2017 3:42 pm
Posts: 1340
Free Member
 

Three minutes is my record for a standard plank (did a 30 day core programme in November), but it's a pretty dull way to improve core strength.

There are lots of variations that can be done, static or otherwise, which make it a bit more bearable.

Matt


 
Posted : 09/02/2017 3:49 pm
Posts: 6
Free Member
Topic starter
 

Yep, it's dull alright, but surprisingly difficult to do.

Apparently also good for shoulder muscles = good for riding.


 
Posted : 09/02/2017 3:53 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

The world record is 8h1m
[url= http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/longest-time-in-an-abdominal-plank-position ]Link[/url]


 
Posted : 09/02/2017 3:54 pm
Posts: 453
Free Member
 

These have been banned from our house hold as the dog gets too exited and thinks its play time. Having an extra 30+kg jump on your back isn't helpful in the slightest, albeit it afterwards, she does try her hardest to pick you back up and lick your face to a soppy mess.

It did make it more interesting though...


 
Posted : 09/02/2017 3:56 pm
 DezB
Posts: 54367
Free Member
 

[i]The world record is 8h1m[/i]

First go, I could probably do 6 hrs then.


 
Posted : 09/02/2017 4:05 pm
 km79
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

I take it it's not as straightforward as just lying down and pretending you're a plank then?


 
Posted : 09/02/2017 4:08 pm
Posts: 27603
Free Member
 

I managed 7 mins 32 seconds. That's 2 seconds longer than my 8yo who was competing with me. I never thought he go so long, and like all dads then having to prove I'm the archetypal hero by maintaining my cool whilst hiding the quivering painful wreck that I was immediately after by using the "quick trip to the loo" excuse.


 
Posted : 09/02/2017 6:06 pm
Posts: 5180
Full Member
 

@jolmes - i feel your pain. If I do anything on the floor (press up, back stetch etc) one of mine will come over and be annoying. Usually by sniffing my face, then lying down smack bang in the way!

I could do 2 min easy I reckon (often do 1 min as part of a circuit), but it's the boredom. I have to sing songs etc in my head just to take my mind off the boredom


 
Posted : 09/02/2017 6:14 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

In my 'abs blast' sessions at the gym we'll hold a plank for 1 - 2 minutes, but over the course of the half hour session we'll do about ten minutes of plank, whether it be straight plank, or a mix of straight plank, side planks, straight arm planks, planks with a leg raised or any other weird and wonderful version they can dream up. When I first started my abs blast classes - upto 3 classes a week, for the first two weeks by abs were ruined - sore, painful, but after that initial two week period the benefits started to come. Not sure how long I could hold one for now, 2 minutes is tough but I could go longer, maybe 4 minutes? Not sure I could do 5.


 
Posted : 09/02/2017 6:24 pm
Posts: 9131
Free Member
 

I randomly tried to hold The Plank for two minutes last summer a couple of times, to see what my weak lower back made of it. My form was not great for the last ~30 seconds, but I just made it to two minutes and then stopped, I reached my goal.

Might be coincidence, but lower back has generally been the best its been since, compared to how it has been since summer 2008.


 
Posted : 09/02/2017 6:24 pm
Posts: 17992
Full Member
 

Planking!
I remember when that was a thing... 😀

[img] [/img]

[img] [/img]

[img] [/img]

In answer to your question, I don't know but dam it I got to try now...


 
Posted : 09/02/2017 6:34 pm
Posts: 13617
Free Member
 

That is waaayyyy harder than I thought it would be! I managed the 1.30 but it wasn't easy! 🙂


 
Posted : 09/02/2017 6:39 pm
Posts: 17992
Full Member
 

Well, that wasn't quite as easy as I'd imagined... 🙂


 
Posted : 09/02/2017 6:45 pm
Posts: 3309
Full Member
 

1 minute 30s after trying it 2 days running. First time I got 1m 20s but I was wobbling like a jelly. Physio said I need get no higher than 4 minutes per day.


 
Posted : 09/02/2017 6:47 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Boredom set in after 10 minutes, can do front lever pull ups and 40 second plus holds, also do weighted dragon flags, so planks are a breeze.


 
Posted : 09/02/2017 6:53 pm
Posts: 4892
Full Member
 

1:34

..and I was very ready to fall into a heap on the floor


 
Posted : 09/02/2017 7:05 pm
Posts: 27603
Free Member
 

7 mins 32 seconds. That's 2 seconds longer than my 8yo

1:30? You should all be ashamed of yourselves....


 
Posted : 09/02/2017 7:12 pm
Posts: 7201
Full Member
 

I cant even make it to 30 seconds. Thats abit rubbish isnt it?


 
Posted : 09/02/2017 7:22 pm
Posts: 5140
Full Member
 

It also don't mean a thing if you ain't doing it proper.
If you stick your bum in the air it's ten times easier.


 
Posted : 09/02/2017 7:48 pm
Posts: 167
Free Member
 

I got to 3 mins after 3 sessions which is suprising given that I would struggle to do half a dozen press-ups.


 
Posted : 09/02/2017 7:59 pm
Posts: 1428
Free Member
 

Ive been back at the gym clasess for 15 months now, I reckon I could do between 2 and 3 minutes but most of that shaking like a shitting whippet. You lot doing 7 minutes plus are hardcore


 
Posted : 09/02/2017 9:07 pm
Posts: 20649
Free Member
 

Totally depends on who you talk to/get instructed by.

I can hold a plank for over 2 minutes easily. I am just recovering from an injury so seeing a physio who specialises in Pilates - I can't hold 30 seconds with the (what initially felt easier) plank she taught me where I focus on my core.


 
Posted : 09/02/2017 9:33 pm
Posts: 7902
Full Member
 

Never tried before. Did 1m 30s with minimal discomfort but not sure how much past that I'd get. Harder on the upper arms than the core - guessing my form not quite right even though body was straight.


 
Posted : 09/02/2017 9:59 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Wasn't expecting much as i know my core is a useless floppy mess. Managed 2mins on the dot which i guess i'm ok with


 
Posted : 09/02/2017 10:15 pm
Posts: 1879
Free Member
 

I'm 6ft 4" so obviously it's harder for us taller folk. Managed the 1.30 okay but 2 mins would of been a push I think.


 
Posted : 09/02/2017 10:23 pm
Posts: 10405
Full Member
 

I'm fat so have my gut dragging me down!!
Managed a minute and was shaking like a shitting dog.
I'll keep trying.....


 
Posted : 09/02/2017 10:48 pm
Posts: 7
Free Member
 

I won a rubbish plastic trophy at work last year 'The World's Greatest Planker' for a 5 min effort...


 
Posted : 09/02/2017 11:13 pm
Posts: 21525
Full Member
 

Having started Pilates recently, I know it's a lot harder to do a purposeful plank than it is to hold a plank like shape.


 
Posted : 10/02/2017 7:10 am
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

I've been doing banded wall sits to help treat a knee injury. Not up to plank shakiness, but 2 x 60 secs is seeing me grimace...

https://www.verywell.com/the-wall-sit-quad-exercise-3120741


 
Posted : 10/02/2017 10:29 am
Posts: 20649
Free Member
 

Having started Pilates recently, I know it's a lot harder to do a purposeful plank than it is to hold a plank like shape.

Exactly - as I said last night. There is looking like you are doing a Plank and actually doing a Plank correctly. I wager that all the people who did 5 minutes+ at their first attempt didn't do it correctly.

My instructions for what is essentially a 'half plank' are:

[b]Leg Pull in prone
[/b]Starting position: Lie on your front in the ‘sphinx’ position. Lift your waist, lower ribcage and breastbone away from the mat. Slide your shoulder blades downwards and lengthen the back of your neck. Legs parallel, hip distance apart.

Level 1
INHALE to prepare
EXHALE lift your pelvis off the mat bringing your head, neck, trunk and pelvis into a modified horizontal ‘plank’ position. Roll your pelvis backwards to prevent arching your back.
INHALE and hold your modified plank position
EXHALE, lower to resume the sphinx position
Reps: 10

Tips
Imagine a harness suspended from the ceiling lifting and supporting your pelvis
Imagine that the trunk is buoyant and is lifting upwards out of the shoulder joints to avoid sinking into the ribcage or shoulders
Keep the elbow and knee joints soft


 
Posted : 10/02/2017 10:47 am
Posts: 0
Free Member
Posts: 4337
Free Member
 

Started doing the plank at the gym last year. Started at 1.30 minutes and i'm not up to 5 minutes (but shaking violently in the last minute)


 
Posted : 10/02/2017 11:03 am
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Planking is quite redundant if you dont have the bodyweight required to make it tough in the first place. I used to be quite underweight and could do them forever* with absolutely no sign of fatigue. Not because I was super strong, just because I didn't have any body weight to support.

I weight a lot more now after eating big for a few years, I should try again.

*until I got bored around 2/3 minutes.


 
Posted : 10/02/2017 11:15 am
Posts: 8906
Free Member
 

Try the hollow hold also, make sure small of back is pressed to floor otherwise is fail.


 
Posted : 10/02/2017 7:09 pm
Posts: 1096
Free Member
 

i've been carrying my apprentice since october whos a plank.


 
Posted : 10/02/2017 7:14 pm