The plank, or planking, is an exercise that involves your core muscles. This exercise can improve your strength, balance and endurance, it requires no extra equipment or weights, making it a convenient form of strength training if you’re on a small budget or are traveling. Though it looks super easy, planking done correctly and for a long period of time can definitely give your muscles and body a run for its’s money! If you’re looking to get in shape and give yourself a good workout, here are the major reasons why you should add planking into your daily workout routine.
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Increases your metabolism
Planking is an amazing way of challenging your body and doing it every day will burn more calories than other traditional abdominal exercises, such as crunches or sit-ups. The muscles you strengthen by doing this exercise on a day-to-day basis will ensure that you burn more energy even when sedentary.
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This is especially important if you are spending the majority of your day sitting in front of a computer. Also, making it a daily 10- to 1 minute home exercise before or after work will not only provide an enhanced metabolic rate but it will also ensure that that metabolic rate remains high all day long, (yes, and even while you are asleep).
Improves your posture
If you’re one of those people (like me, I’ll admit it) who has absolutely horrible posture, even to the point of it giving you problems with your back or neck, you should really try adding planking to help correct it. This exercise can help get rid of those awkward stares that others are giving you when you have a bit of a hunch when you sit or stand.
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If done correctly, planking will help correct your posture, making it much easier for you to naturally want to sit up straight without forcing your back straight. Your muscles will naturally want to go to the place that will keep your back and neck straight, giving you the perfect posture you’ve always wanted.
Decreases your risk of back or spine injury
If you’re someone who generally likes to participate in different sports of physical activities, you’re always sort of at risk for getting an injury in one way or another. If you add planking to your workout, you’re more likely to prevent yourself from getting an injury in your back or your spine!
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According to the American Council on Exercise, “Doing planks regularly not only significantly reduces back pain but it also strengthens your muscles and ensures a strong support for your entire back, especially in the areas around your upper back.”
Improve core performance and definition
Planks are the perfect activity to use when you’re trying to give your abs the ultimate workout, and it will totally improve your core performance and definition. There are many different areas that will get a major workout from using this exercise.
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If you practice Planking daily, you can expect an improvement in many areas, such as transverse abdominis (increased ability to lift heavier weights), glutes (a supported back and a strong, shapely booty), rectus adbominis (improved sports performance, particularly with jumping, as well as responsible for giving you the renowned six pack look), and oblique muscles (improved capacity for stable side-bending and waist-twisting).
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