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Nov 25, 2024 | 
tomsguide.com | John Carroll
The plank is, after a short time, a pretty boring move. It's hugely effective for building the core, developing strength and endurance, and reducing lower back pain, but even its fans must admit that it’s kind of dull. For that reason, I prefer the variations on the basic move, like plank hip dips, so when another one came my way in the form of a side plank with lateral raises, I was practically gung-ho. I really ought to calm down.
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Nov 25, 2024 | 
yahoo.com | John Carroll
Generate Key TakeawaysWhen you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: Getty ImagesThe plank is, after a short time, a pretty boring move. It's hugely effective for building the core, developing strength and endurance, and reducing lower back pain, but even its fans must admit that it’s kind of dull.
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Nov 4, 2024 | 
tomsguide.com | John Carroll
I’m not a big fan of isometric exercises, which involve holding the body in one position for a set time. I know that static exercises, such as the plank, are effective and challenging, but I prefer moving when I’m working out — to breathe harder and feel my heart beat faster. That said, isometric training can build endurance and be useful for people with an injury or trying to maintain or build strength.
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Jul 4, 2024 | 
yahoo.com | John Carroll
John CarrollJuly 4, 2024 at 1:01 AM·5 min readI’m no stranger to the basic step-up exercise; you know, the one performed facing a step or bench, which, done properly, reminds you of taking two steps at once when climbing the stairs full of youthful athleticism. But I’d never tried the lateral step-up, where you stand beside the bench, step up, then down and so on. I’d also never attempted either version while holding a set of the best adjustable dumbbells.
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Jul 4, 2024 | 
tomsguide.com | John Carroll
I’m no stranger to the basic step-up exercise; you know, the one performed facing a step or bench, which, done properly, reminds you of taking two steps at once when climbing the stairs full of youthful athleticism. But I’d never tried the lateral step-up, where you stand beside the bench, step up, then down and so on. I’d also never attempted either version while holding a set of the best adjustable dumbbells. I sensed a challenge, and my senses were correct.
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Jun 30, 2024 | 
tomsguide.com | John Carroll
When it comes to workout moves, variation is a wonderful thing. Doing the same exercise every day (or even every week) can become boring and make it more likely that you’ll either stop getting maximum benefit from an exercise or, worse, simply give it up. Fed up with a squat? Try a sumo squat. Has the basic plank lost its appeal? How about the plank with a knee tap? And if the lunge is bringing you down, add some walking to the mix.
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Jun 20, 2024 | 
tomsguide.com | John Carroll
I’m all in plank variations, because — and this is not to throw any degree of shade on a workout staple that can’t stand up for itself — the basic plank is, after a short time, a pretty boring move. I’ve done a few variations as challenges for Tom’s Guide, including the three-legged plank, the x-plank and the side plank, the one most people move on to when they find the standard move has become a little monotonous (which usually happens on day two).
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Jun 18, 2024 | 
tomsguide.com | John Carroll
The Guinness World Record for the longest time in an abdominal plank was set in May 2023, when Josef Salek from the Czech Republic maintained the position for a mindboggling nine hours, 38 minutes, and 47 seconds. I can last for about two minutes, but boredom sets in long before that, which is why I welcome the many plank variations you can try. But I had never come across the plank hip dip. So, I decided to give it a try and aim for 50 repetitions each day for a week. Here's what happened.
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Jun 16, 2024 | 
tomsguide.com | John Carroll
Some body-weight exercises look impressive when they’re performed properly, such as press-ups in all their variations (for example, the incline). With these moves, you can look and know instantly that hard work is involved and it will pay off. And some exercises look a little weird and less than dynamic, but still get the job done — I give you the Superman. Finally, we come to the moves that were conceived with no consideration for personal dignity but are far more effective than they look.
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Jun 16, 2024 | 
yahoo.com | John Carroll
Some body-weight exercises look impressive when they’re performed properly, such as press-ups in all their variations (for example, the incline). With these moves, you can look and know instantly that hard work is involved and it will pay off. And some exercises look a little weird and less than dynamic, but still get the job done — I give you the Superman. Finally, we come to the moves that were conceived with no consideration for personal dignity but are far more effective than they look.
