Does Plank Reduce Belly Fat?: Uncover The Truth

Does plank reduce belly fat | woman doing plank

If you've been looking for ways to reduce belly fat, you may have come across plank exercises as a potential solution. Plank exercises are a popular form of bodyweight exercise that can help tone and strengthen the core muscles. However, the question remains - does plank reduce belly fat?

Research suggests that consistent plank exercises, combined with a healthy diet and lifestyle, can contribute to a reduction in overall body fat, including belly fat. One study found that participants who performed plank exercises for 6 weeks showed a significant decrease in waist circumference compared to a control group.

In addition to their potential fat-burning benefits, plank exercises can also improve posture, balance, and flexibility. Plank exercises engage multiple muscle groups, including the abdominals, back, hips, and shoulders, making them full-body exercises that can improve overall strength and stability.

While plank exercises are not a magic solution for reducing belly fat, they can be an effective component of a comprehensive weight loss plan that includes a balanced diet, regular exercise, and a healthy lifestyle.

In this article, we'll take a closer look at the relationship between plank exercises and belly fat reduction, as well as provide some tips for getting the most out of this exercise. Read on to learn more about whether plank exercises are the key to a flatter belly.

Calories burn in plank

The number of calories burned during a plank exercise varies depending on several factors such as body weight, duration of the exercise, and the intensity level of the exercise.

On average, a person weighing around 150 pounds can burn approximately 3-4 calories per minute during a plank exercise. This means that a 60-second plank would burn around 3-4 calories, while a 5-minute plank would burn around 15-20 calories.

However, it's important to keep in mind that the primary benefit of plank exercises is not necessarily calorie burning, but rather strengthening and toning the core muscles. Plank exercises can contribute to a leaner and more toned appearance, but to achieve significant weight loss, it's important to combine exercise with a healthy diet and overall lifestyle.

Plank benefits for weight loss

Plank exercises can be a valuable component of a weight loss plan for several reasons. 

Engages multiple muscle groups for overall calorie burning

Plank exercises to engage the core, arms, shoulders, back, and legs, contributing to overall calorie burning and fat loss.

Builds muscle strength and endurance for a higher metabolism

Plank exercises can build muscle strength and endurance, leading to a higher metabolism and more calories burned at rest.

Improves posture and balance for effective workouts

Plank exercises can improve posture and balance, reducing the risk of injury and allowing for more effective workouts.

Alleviates lower back pain for increased exercise potential

By strengthening the core muscles, plank exercises can help alleviate lower back pain, making it easier to engage in other forms of exercise that may be more challenging when experiencing back pain.

A valuable supplement to a complete weight reduction plan

While plank exercises may not lead to significant weight loss on their own, they can be A valuable supplement to a complete weight-reduction plan that includes a healthy diet, Physical activity, including regular exercise and other forms of movement, is beneficial for health and well-being.

How much weight can you lose doing the plank challenge?

  • The amount of weight you can lose doing the plank challenge varies depending on various factors, such as starting weight, diet, exercise routine, and overall lifestyle.
  • Isometric exercise like the plank can be highly effective in burning calories, typically ranging from two to five calories per minute based on an individual's body weight.
  • The plank challenge involves performing plank exercises for a set amount of time each day for a certain number of days.
  • Plank exercises alone are unlikely to result in significant weight loss, as weight loss requires creating a calorie deficit through a combination of regular exercise and a healthy diet.
  • Plank exercises can contribute to weight loss by increasing muscle strength and endurance, leading to a higher metabolism and more calories burned at rest.
  • Plank exercises engage multiple muscle groups, contributing to overall calorie burning and fat loss.
  • The amount of weight you can lose doing the plank challenge will depend on how you incorporate plank exercises into your overall weight loss plan.
  • To achieve significant weight loss, it is important to combine plank exercises with other forms of exercise and a healthy diet to create a calorie deficit.

Is plank good for weight loss?

Yes, plank exercises can be good for weight loss when combined with a healthy diet and regular exercise. 

  • Plank exercises are a type of isometric exercise that engage multiple muscle groups, including the core, arms, shoulders, back, and legs.
  • By engaging these muscle groups, plank exercises can contribute to overall calorie burning and fat loss.
  • Plank exercises can help build muscle strength and stamina, which can lead to a higher metabolism and more calories burned at rest.
  • Strengthening the core muscles through plank exercises can help improve posture and balance, reducing the risk of injury during other forms of exercise.
  • To achieve significant weight loss, it's important to combine plank exercises with other forms of exercise, such as cardio and strength training.
  • Maintaining a healthy diet that is rich in whole foods and low in processed foods and added sugars is also important for achieving weight loss.
  • Plank exercises can be a valuable addition to a comprehensive weight loss plan that includes regular exercise and a healthy diet.

Take Away 

Plank exercises alone are unlikely to significantly reduce belly fat. To reduce belly fat, it's important to combine plank exercises with other forms of exercise and maintain a healthy diet while also reducing tension levels and getting enough quality sleep.

FAQs

How effective is planking for losing weight?

While planking can contribute to overall calorie burning and fat loss, it's not a magic solution for losing weight. To achieve significant weight loss, it's important to combine planking with other forms of exercise and maintain a healthy diet.

Does plank help in weight loss?

Yes. While planking can contribute to weight loss by building muscle strength and engaging multiple muscle groups, it alone is not a guaranteed solution and must be combined with other forms of exercise and a healthy diet to achieve significant weight loss.

Calories burned in 1-minute plank

Doing a plank for 1 minute can burn an estimated 2-5 calories, depending on factors such as body weight and muscle mass.

References

  1. Feasibility, validity and reliability of the plank isometric hold as a field-based assessment of torso muscular endurance for children 8-12 years of age -Pubmed
  2. The effect of abdominal exercise on abdominal fat - Pubmed

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