When you first think of planks, you might not immediately associate them with working out your core muscles. However, planks are a great way to target your core whether you’re a petite person or someone who stands 6 feet tall.
Many people think that it is harder to do plank exercises if you are tall. They believe that taller people need more space to work out and that this will make them look shorter. This is not true!
So, is it harder to do planks if you are tall? Tall people often do better with plank exercises because they have more range of motion and can use their arms more effectively.
Read more and find out from this comprehensive article.
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Contents
What Is a Plank?
A plank is an act of holding a position of your body in one plane – typically the abdomen, upper back, and neck – for a certain length of time.
Planks are a great exercise for strengthening your abs and developing better posture. People of all ages, shapes, and sizes can benefit from doing planks.
There are many factors to consider when choosing and doing planks. Some of the most important factors to consider are your level of fitness, how often you would like to do planks, how long you would like to rest in between sets, and the environment you will be doing your planks in.
Why Do Planks?
When you first start to do planks, you might not know why you are doing the exercise. We’re here to break down a few of the reasons why you should be doing planks.
Building Better Abs – One of the main reasons to do planks is to build a strong core. A strong core is essential for improving your posture, balance, and agility. A strong core is also important for athletes because it helps them with movement, stability, and position.
Strengthening Your Back – Planks can also be used to strengthen your back. In many ways, your back is similar to your core. Your back, like your core, is responsible for many of your movements, stability, and posture. Strengthening your back can help you to lead a healthier, symptom-free life.
Is It Harder to Do Planks If You Are Tall?
This is a common concern that many tall people have. The truth is, there is no evidence that doing planks is difficult if you are tall. In fact, doing a plank is easier when you are tall compared to a shorter person because you have less gravity pulling you down! In terms of doing a plank, it is something that you can do regardless of your height.
However, if you are tall, you will want to make sure to adjust your body position accordingly to avoid any unnecessary strain. Doing a plank can be difficult for some people because it requires full commitment from the entire body.
It is also important to keep in mind that even if your arms are strong enough to hold your weight, it does not mean that your core is strong enough to support the rest of your body. With the proper strengthening of both the upper and lower body, you should be able to achieve great results from doing a plank.
Studies have shown that there are no differences in the amount of effort it takes to perform a plank. This means that if you are tall, you can enjoy the same benefits as a shorter person by following these steps:
- Find a stable surface that is level, like a yoga mat or the floor.
- Put your palms down on the surface and your fingers facing forward. Your forearms should be perpendicular to the floor. Keep your elbows close to your body.
- Make sure your back is straight and your head is crown down.
- Your abs are activated during planks and you should focus on contracting your core to prevent your spine from rounding.
Is It Harder for Tall People to Work Out?
Many people assume that it is harder for taller people to work out, but that is not the case. As we get taller, our joints become more stable and less likely to be injured or sore from a strenuous workout, so exercise is less likely to be an issue for tall people.
In addition, there are certain exercises and activities that are designed specifically for tall people to avoid strain on their joints. Taller people may also have a larger muscle mass than shorter people, which means that they can generate more force when lifting weights or executing other exercises.
Taller people should remember that their height does not affect their ability to achieve fitness goals; they just need to make sure they take the right precautions to protect their joints and ensure a safe workout environment.
Is It Harder for a Tall Person to Build Muscle?
Yes and no. Taller people tend to have more muscle mass than shorter people (on average, they have greater muscle-to-bodyweight ratios), which helps them build muscle faster. But muscle growth is a complex process that involves many factors, so it’s not as simple as simply building more muscle.
It is not only challenging for tall people to build muscle, but it is also quite hard for everyone to build muscle. Regardless of your height and build, one of the most important things is to eat a nutritious and well-balanced diet.
This includes a wide variety of whole foods, including protein-rich foods like lean meat, fish, eggs, and dairy products. It is also important to get enough rest and exercise regularly throughout your life.
While being taller may make it more difficult to build muscle mass and strength, it is not necessarily the case. Taller people simply have more work to do in order to achieve their fitness goals!
Common Plank Mistakes
There are several common mistakes made when performing a plank. First, if you are using an unstable surface, such as a table, it can be hard to keep your body stable. Try finding a stable surface like a wall or bench to help you maintain balance.
Another mistake that many people make is that they lean too far forward or backward during their plank. The goal of the plank is to keep your body in one straight line from head to toe. So do not lean forward or backward to change the angle of your body. This will only create instability in your body and limit your ability to push yourself harder in future workouts.
It’s important to keep your core engaged while keeping strong abdominals throughout the entire exercise. The core consists of the abdominal muscles, which help you stabilize your lower back and spine while holding your posture upright. By engaging these muscles, you’ll be able to build strength and stability.
When comparing yourself to others, it can be tempting to compare your form during a plank with someone else’s. This is often a mistake because you’re not going to be able to maintain the same level of form throughout each plank.
Instead, focus on how long you can hold each position and how many repetitions you can achieve in each set. By comparing yourself only to your own performance instead of someone else’s, you’ll be able to gauge your progress accurately.
One other mistake people often make when doing planks is leaning too far forward or backward while holding the position. This puts unnecessary strain on your shoulders and neck, which can lead to injury. Instead, keep your back as straight as possible and focus on keeping your abs engaged throughout the entire set.
The Disadvantages of Taller People Doing Planks
There are several disadvantages that taller people often face when trying to do plank exercises. One disadvantage is that they may not be able to use as much of the range of motion they have as shorter people. This can make it difficult for them to get their arms in the right position to complete the exercise.
In case of limited space, they may not be able to use their legs as effectively as shorter people. This can make it hard for them to stay in the correct position during the exercise.
Finally, taller people may not be as strong as shorter people when it comes to pushing and pulling themselves up into the air.
Frequently Asked Questions
I am 5’4″. How do I do planks?
You can do planks in any position that works for you. Start with a pushup. When you are in plank position, rest on your elbows and toes. Make sure each foot is on the ground and your body is straight. Keep your core tight and hold the pose for 10–20 seconds. Repeat this pose 4-5 times per session. Eventually, you will be able to hold a longer time period, which makes it easier to maintain the correct alignment of your body as well as build strength in your core muscles. You can also modify the type of plank by doing mountain climbers or side planks instead of standard planks. The more difficult the movement pattern, the more challenging and effective it will be.
I’m 6’3″. How do I do planks?
On your hands and knees, with your elbows slightly bent, put your forearms on the ground and push out into a plank position that’s in line with your shoulders. Your palms should be directly under your shoulders. Hold for at least 30 seconds. Repeat three times.
My balance is really bad when I try to do planks! What can I do?
Balance is a huge factor in any exercise routine — especially when it comes to planks. Your body needs enough strength and stability to safely hold your position, so it’s crucial to start out slowly with these and progress gradually as your flexibility and strength improve.
Can I do plank exercises if I have bad shoulders?
If you have bad shoulders, it’s not a good idea to do planks as an exercise. They might aggravate the problem and make it worse.
With shoulder problems, you should try to avoid any overhead exercises that involve pulling movements, like chin-ups and pull-ups. You should also avoid exercises that involve heavy weights or resistance bands like inverted rows and seated cable rows.
Can I do plank exercises if my stomach hurts?
No, you cannot do plank exercises if your stomach is hurting. This is because the muscles in the lower abdomen that are involved in the plank pose are large and sensitive. In addition, holding a plank pose for any length of time can be uncomfortable for people with back or neck problems. If you have a tender stomach or inflamed joints, you should avoid planks until your condition improves.
Conclusion
People of all heights and shapes can benefit from doing planks. Whether you are a 5-foot-tall girl or a 6-foot-tall man, planks are an effective core exercise that can help you achieve a healthy, fit posture.
And no matter what your height, you can do planks with the right technique and practice. When you are ready to get started, remember how easy it is to get better at planks, no matter your height!
References
- Is It Harder to Do a Plank If You Are Tall? https://faq-all.com/en/Q%26A/page=c3d5099d50fb8cb72a3c9be60a911ffb
- How Your Height Should Affect Your Workout: https://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/a19909786/exercise-routines-for-your-height/
- Exercise – Working Out – Do Taller People Have It Harder? https://fitness.stackexchange.com/questions/5252/working-out-do-taller-people-have-it-harder
