Planks :)

[Catrin]

Almost 5 minutes ?!?! Good grief. Good job.

I think should stabilizers are considered part the core? So those two things aren't mutually exclusive.

The test was called a "Pure Stability Test"...and a full plank is complex - (witness to my IT band finally ending it rather than my lower back or something else). I actually didn't think my time was unusual until Tony said something about it a couple of days later, and the comments here.

Time to ride before the big broiler in the sky kicks into overdrive...

[Crankin]

The things that stops me from doing planks longer than I can are my shoulders and wrists, depending on the position of the plank. I can do a minute, maybe a little bit more if I'm rested.
My shoulders and neck must be really weak, as they always hurt when doing any upper body stuff, even when the muscle I'm working is really in my arms. I can barely do more than 5-10 front or lateral raises, even with 5 lb. weights. It all just starts spasming.
However, after 8 months of boot camp, I can do "regular" push ups, although, sometimes when I'm on my 3d set of 18 I have to get into the girlie position. But before, I couldn't do more than 3.
That class sounds perfect, Catrin. And exercising in the early AM usually means you stick with it. You're an early riser, so it shouldn't be that hard.

[Catrin]

The things that stops me from doing planks longer than I can are my shoulders and wrists, depending on the position of the plank. I can do a minute, maybe a little bit more if I'm rested.
My shoulders and neck must be really weak, as they always hurt when doing any upper body stuff, even when the muscle I'm working is really in my arms. I can barely do more than 5-10 front or lateral raises, even with 5 lb. weights. It all just starts spasming.
However, after 8 months of boot camp, I can do "regular" push ups, although, sometimes when I'm on my 3d set of 18 I have to get into the girlie position. But before, I couldn't do more than 3.
That class sounds perfect, Catrin. And exercising in the early AM usually means you stick with it. You're an early riser, so it shouldn't be that hard.

Congrats on being able to do unmodified pushups! I might be able to do 5 right now and those are bad. I can do modified (girlie) and have done up to 100 of them in sets of 20 - but full pushups are a different story.

Neck muscles will certainly complain during upper - or even lower body work if they aren't happy/strong to begin with. I learned that during my lengthy whiplash recovery. Hopefully your work in boot camp will help to strengthen that area.

[indysteel]

An almost five minute plank? That is seriously impressive. I doubt I could do more than two. Awesome job, Catrin. I sure wish your gym was more convenient for me. Your workouts there sound like just the ticket.

[Catrin]

An almost five minute plank? That is seriously impressive. I doubt I could do more than two. Awesome job, Catrin. I sure wish your gym was more convenient for me. Your workouts there sound like just the ticket.

So move closer

Pity we don't have those Star Trek transportation devices...darn it. Seriously speaking, there might be a facility closer to you that offers a similar training philosophy. I've a few friends who seem to know every fitness facility in the area and their focus...I will see what they have to say.

[indysteel]

So move closer

Pity we don't have those Star Trek transportation devices...darn it. Seriously speaking, there might be a facility closer to you that offers a similar training philosophy. I've a few friends who seem to know every fitness facility in the area and their focus...I will see what they have to say.

I'm one of those people who know every fitness facility in the area. I was on the Y's board for 4 years. You learn your competition. Trust me; there is no gym close to Franklin other than our own limited rec center and an area Crossfit (not for me). But thanks for offering to check.

[Catrin]

Nice!

Now try them with your feet on the bench. Or arms on bench, feet on stability ball. Lots of fun!

I've done them with my arms on Bosu (top and bottom) doing different things - and on the exercise ball, again doing different things on the ball. I've done them with my feet in the TRX straps, but not on bench or ball... hmmmm...sounds like fun That would certainly mix it up and present a different challenge to my body.

I'm one of those people who know every fitness facility in the area. I was on the Y's board for 4 years. You learn your competition. Trust me; there is no gym close to Franklin other than our own limited rec center and an area Crossfit (not for me). But thanks for offering to check.

I had forgotten you were on the Y's board & would already know that. I think that the type of exercises they do at Crossfit is similar to metabolic/functional training - but I think there is more to Crossfit than that. I don't know enough about Crossfit to know the difference.

[Irulan]

"Full Plank" - is that on elbows/forearms in the front?

[Irulan]

The things that stops me from doing planks longer than I can are my shoulders and wrists, depending on the position of the plank. I can do a minute, maybe a little bit more if I'm rested.
My shoulders and neck must be really weak, as they always hurt when doing any upper body stuff, even when the muscle I'm working is really in my arms. I can barely do more than 5-10 front or lateral raises, even with 5 lb. weights. It all just starts spasming.
However, after 8 months of boot camp, I can do "regular" push ups, although, sometimes when I'm on my 3d set of 18 I have to get into the girlie position. But before, I couldn't do more than 3.
That class sounds perfect, Catrin. And exercising in the early AM usually means you stick with it. You're an early riser, so it shouldn't be that hard.

Oakleaf, I don't know how well trained/certified your bootcamp instructors are, but if they are any good at all they should be able to help you with modifications so that you can have success with exercises as you build strength in the weak areas. Wrists can be troublesome but there are many ways to modify hand positions.