Day 54: Walking the plank

Why is the plank the least enjoyable exercise?

It's not just the least enjoyable, but for me, it's just torture. I hate downloading the day's workout to find that plank is sitting at the end of the sheet, taunting me.

I just do not like doing the plank.

I have variable feelings towards the other exercises, sometimes I enjoy them, sometimes they're boring. But with the plank, there is consistent mutual dislike; I'm convinced plank dislikes like me too!



But I actually don't think plank is the toughest exercise physically. I just think it's the most mentally challenging.

It's the only exercise where you a) are in an uncompromising position and b) can do nothing but observe the pain as it accumulates.

With every other exercise, it's easy to get distracted by the motion. Your mind is occupied by the movement of the muscles and limbs. And so the pain is secondary, or at least right up until the last few moments.

With plank on the other hand, from the word go, you are completely surrendered to the pose, if you're not in form, you're no longer in the pose - in this way it's a like yoga.

And because you are not moving, and totally focused on your body and the active muscles, you are equally as focused on the pain.

I've tried everything to psychologically beat plank; I've tried embracing the pain, almost meditating into it. That was awful, don't go there. I've tried music or talking. I've tried counting. But the thing is, to become distracted invariably results in losing the form.

This to me, is why plank is such a beast. So when I came across Corry's post , describing a variation to the plank, I just had to try it out.

I wish I had found this earlier.

She introduced a ‘donkey kick’ into the pose, which probably makes the plank more physically challenging, but actually, because variety was introduced, it made it more enjoyable to do.

Also to go into downward dog in between sets is such a treat. It feels like a big yawn!

And in fact, because plank is the last exercise in the routine, once finished, it feels quite natural to go straight into some rounds of sun salutation.

If like me, you also dread ‘plank days’ I would definitely recommend you read Corry’s post and try it yourself. Tell me what you think about it. Personally, it’s changed my view of walking the plank.