22 Comments
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Baird Brightman's avatar

“The problem with only doing standard planks, however, is the same problem many experience when only focusing on abdominal exercises when training the core. Neglecting the lateral and posterior chain muscles will eventually cause imbalances that limit performance potential while increasing risk of pain or injury.”

So important. When I injured my shoulder playing tennis, I wondered why all my swimming hadn’t made my rotator cuffs bulletproof. My PTist showed me how weak my shoulder muscles were in every other range of motion. My daily exercise routine now involves working those muscles that lie fallow in most daily work. Boring but great injury prevention value.

Keep up the great teaching here, Professor/Coach K! 👏

Kyle Shepard's avatar

Thank you brother! I’ve done the same thing to myself countless times in various ways, shoulder included. Appreciate you

James Freitas's avatar

Oof—exactly what I need! Thanks Kyle. I keep a yoga mat laid out to stretch when I wake up, and adding in these planks will be a great way to start the day.

Kyle Shepard's avatar

Let’s go brother. I’d be curious to hear what side planks are like for you between your good and affected side.

James Freitas's avatar

My right hand balls up regardless of the side, and the affected side is definitely weaker

Kyle Shepard's avatar

Yet you do it anyway. You’re the man

James Freitas's avatar

Thank you, Kyle

Mikey Vongdara's avatar

Oh sweet, I can probably make a video and tag you in this one!

Kyle Shepard's avatar

❤️👊🏻

Marshall R Peterson's avatar

Good one Kyle. I really like the way you transition from one side to the other. I’m going to struggle with the reverse plank. For some reason, my body doesn’t want to do them. I’ve been trying to do them on my forearms and that has proven well neigh impossible.

Kyle Shepard's avatar

It was our previous conversations that motivated me to make this entire challenge on the hands rather than forearms. The transitions are brutal with forearms and the reverse plank is a problem for anyone with shoulder issues. My hope is this month will open up my chest/shoulders to where reverse planks on the forearms are much more doable.

Erik's avatar

Looking forward to this... Been dealing with a strained sartorius muscle and hurt my rotator cuff splitting wood, so this will be a good one to do while healing up. 👍🏻

Kyle Shepard's avatar

Let’s go Erik!

Avery, NBC-HWC's avatar

Was planning a Sept plank challenge myself — IN! 💪 thanks Kyle!

Kyle Shepard's avatar

Let’s go Avery!

Gregg Wolf's avatar

Great! I hate side planks more than Marshall hates burpees.😝

Kyle Shepard's avatar

Hahaha man! That’s a strong statement

Gregg Wolf's avatar

Right!?😝

Benjamin Davis's avatar

I'm in .

Kyle Shepard's avatar

Let’s go 👊🏻

Stacy Boone's avatar

Planks in harvest season, standing with the canner season. Gads. I'm in.

Kyle Shepard's avatar

Haha great to hear!