Plank Pose. Lmage by Wikipedia
By Sue Shekut, Licensed Massage Therapist, ACSM Personal Trainer, Certified Wellness Coach, Owner, Working Well Massage
Newsweek recently had an article about situps causing low back injury, something I’ve been telling clients for years. Situps actually tend to work your hip flexors more than your abdominal muscles as you get into the “sitting” position. And most office workers already have tight hip flexors (Iliopsoas muscles) from sitting all day (contracting Ilipsoas all day in the process). According to Newsweek, “the best exercises for back health and a firmer stomach are ones that work your abs while holding your spine straight, like planks.” (as in Pilates Plank pose or the sit up starting position.)
For a demo of how to do Plank Pose, click here.
Myfitteru has a great video showing you how to do my favorite Abdominal exercise with a Swiss Ball. Check it out here.
Use Pilates Plank and these abdominal exercises on the Swiss ball and you won’t ever have to do situps again! And your back will thank you for it.
Related articles
- Garin Kilpatrick: You Don’t Need to do Situps to Get a 6 Pack | How Do I Get a 6 Pack (howdoigeta6pack.com)
- Garin Kilpatrick: Get 6 Pack Abs (howdoigeta6pack.com)
or, for shorties like me (at 5′-2″), try the 
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