Am I doing planks wrong?

[guest439437484421]

Currently my workout looks like this:

Warm up (following Steve’s beginner’s workout)

Body Weight Squats- 15

Push Ups – 10

Waling Lunges – 15

Dumbbell Rows – 15

Planks – 10

Jumping Jacks - 25

Stretches (following Steve’s beginner’s stretches)

By the time I get to my planks my arms are pretty tired, and it’s a fight to be able to hold myself up on my arms in order to do my planks. My question is, does this mean I’m doing them wrong since it’s my arms that are causing me to stop instead of my core? Or is this normal? Should I move my planks up in the workout so that I can do them before my arms get tired?

[bigm141414]

For planks the arms, shoulders and core all get a pretty good workout. Depending on your fitness levels your arms may be the weakest link. Try moving them up in the rotation, before pushups and see if that helps.

[Mama T]

yeah, the push-ups are probably wearing down your arms; try switching the planks and push-ups and see how that works out.

[The Tin Man]

What you said doesn't lead me to think you're doing them wrong. When I do planks fresh I start to falter in my core by sagging first. If I do them when my arms are toasted then my arms are almost always the limiting factor.

As for where they should be in your workout I would probably move them ahead of pushups and dumbell rows with the thinking that doing planks first will affect performance in those less than doing those first affects performance in planks. You shouldn't be surprised if you take a small step back in push ups and dumbell rows by doing this but you'll adjust. Hopefully that all makes sense.

[Corbab]

Not to be thick, but how are you doing your planks? If you're resting on your elbows, arm fatigue shouldn't be a major problem (except perhaps in your shoulders). If you've been doing them with your arms fully extended, try getting down on your elbows.

[guest439437484421]

Not to be thick, but how are you doing your planks? If you're resting on your elbows, arm fatigue shouldn't be a major problem (except perhaps in your shoulders). If you've been doing them with your arms fully extended, try getting down on your elbows.

on my arms/elbows, like Steven demonstrated in his video.

[161803398874989]

Put your elbows a little further back. Most likely you're not using the best leverage possible.

[BadWolf]

Yea, try bringing your elbows back a bit and make sure you're in a straight line, clenching your bum and abs really helps

[Pat G]

@Badwolf, when you mean elbows back, you mean in line with the shoulders yes?

why not elbows slightly forward of the shoulders? that seems to put more intensity into the exercise.