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The plank is one of the most basic exercises out there. You simply rest on your hands or your forearms and keep your body straight. This is good for developing the core, but it's also very gentle. Some would even go as far as to argue that it's pointless for most people. If you're doing push ups, after all, you're already doing a plank by extension!
But hold on just a minute! Is that really all there is to it?
The plank is very much an example of an exercise where you get back what you put into it. Sure, it can be a gentle way to develop core strength... but actually this is a perfect way to challenge the strength endurance of the core, which often goes overlooked.
Moreover, the plank can be used to practice good posture and to engage all the muscles around the core that often get ignored. The precise way you hold the position will dictate the benefits - do you tuck the tailbone? Do you protract the scapula? It should depend on your goals.
And if you're performing plank with a tight core, contracted glutes, tucked pelvis, and protracted shoulder blades... well then you're going to feel it! And it can teach you the right posture you need for moves like the planche, and handstand push up.