The simple answer is yes. Planks do burn belly fat, and they are the best exercise for improving body strength.
A plank or different variations of it helps target your core and reduces the fat in the stomach region.
In this post, I am going to share with you the reasons why planks burn belly fat, how long you need to do them to get results, and other health benefits of doing planks.
How many planks a day to lose belly fat?
To lose belly fat, experts suggest that you stick to the goal of holding a plank for about 60 seconds for a minimum of 3 times.
According to trainers, following this practice of holding a plank for 60 seconds gives the best results.
Healthy benefits of doing planks every day
If you do planks every day, you will not only lose belly fat but also gain other benefits, such as improving your posture and increasing your metabolism.
Reduces belly fat
Holding a plank for 60 seconds every day can help you to burn belly fat. The reason for this is that holding planks for a few minutes a day works on your core abdominal muscles.
Improves body flexibility
Practicing the plank pose daily can help to stretch your core muscle groups mentioned earlier.
These muscles also control your flexibility, this will help you to be more flexible especially if you practice Yoga or sport.
Reduces backache
The plank posture helps to align the vertebrae in the backbone perfectly. This can help alleviate back pain and even delay the onset of or prevent back pain in old age.
Improves metabolism
When you do planks every day, you move your core muscles, which helps your body improve its metabolism.
Improves body balance and posture
I remember during the Covid lockdown, I gained weight, and one thing I realized was that I could not stand up straight for a few minutes (I was feeling pain). Then, when I started posing planks for 30 days, that pain weighed away, and I could stand straight for many minutes.
Since planks strengthen your core muscles in the stomach, they will help you maintain body balance and improve your posture.
Strengthens your core
Talking about the core again, the core of your body consists of the spine, shoulder bones, pelvis, and joints. A strong core allows you to perform certain exercises better.
The plank exercise strengthens the four most important muscle groups (transversus abdominis, rectus abdominis, oblique muscles, and glutes) that constitute your core.
What will happen if I do a plank every day for 30 days?
If you do a one-minute plank every day for 30 days, you will see many changes. You will burn belly fat, lose some inches from your waistline, etc.
This happened to me during the Covid lockdown, and I did not just lose 2 inches of my waist.
The pain I had went away, and my posture also improved, which speaks to my increased core strength.
For better results, I recommend combining this with eating food that will help you lose belly fat. Also, remember that consistency is the key to success at anything. If you are doing it for 30 days, make sure you do it every single day and follow through.
When should you not do planks?
If you have any of these conditions, please do not do planks without consulting your doctor first.
- If you have a shoulder injury.
- If you feel pain in your shoulders after the exercise.
- If you are pregnant.
- Do not hold your breath while exercising.
Final words
Yes, planks do help to lose belly fat. My recommendation is to pose in a plank for one minute for better results. Also, remember to combine planks with eating the right food to get results faster.