Learn the right way to do the plank with celebrity fitness trainer Namrata Purohit

Lockdown measures due to Covid-19 have derailed the fitness routine of so many of us. And, while we cannot go to the gym for the time being or out for a run, we can still find ways to workout at home and ensure the intensity remains intact. This is where planks come in. 

Plank is probably the most efficient and wholesome exercise to engage the core and strengthen the abdomen muscles. This exercise is a favourite of many professional sports personalities, entertainers and fitness enthusiasts as it also strengthens your hips, lower back and improves body balance and stamina. 

Recently, celebrity fitness trainer and author of The Lazy Girl’s Guide to Being Fit,

Namrata Purohit took to Instagram to share her expert tips on doing the plank right. Namrata is a renowned Pilates instructor and has worked with celebrities such as  Jacqueline Fernandez, Varun Dhawan, Arjun Kapoor, Neha Dhupia, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Malaika Arora. 

In her Instagram post, she writes “Do the plank right! A basic exercise as such, but one which can go quite wrong! To enjoy its benefits, do it right! Keep the core engaged, back in neutral and breathe!”

Check out the post here:

Do the plank exercise right

In the first part of her reel, she can be seen demonstrating how to do the plank in the correct way. To get started:

1. First, ensure that your form is correct and your shoulders, glutes and entire leg area is active. Begin in a tabletop position. Align the knees under your hips and your shoulders over your wrists. Press your hands into the floor and step one foot back at a time, bringing your torso parallel to the floor.
2. Then, remember to keep your back in a neutral position and your core should be engaged. Spread the chest open, draw the tailbone down, lift the thighs, and reach back through the legs. Reach the head forward and gaze softly towards the floor.
   
3. As a good practice, check if your elbows are under the shoulders or not to reach an optimal form. Allow the arms to remain perpendicular to the floor with the shoulders aligned over wrists. Press your outer arms inward and spread your shoulder blades wide.

Common mistakes to avoid while doing the plank exercise

In the second part of her reel, she asks her followers to be careful of common mistakes that one tends to make when doing the plank pose as it could lead to injuries. These include:

1. Bringing the bum up or not keeping it aligned to your back. 
2. Extending the back to tweak the alignment of your form, which could cause lower back pain.
3. Moving the elbows ahead or back which will strain the shoulder.

So, ladies, try this wondrous exercise to tone those abs and enhance your overall bodily strength.