The plank exercise is a core-strengthening exercise where you hold a position similar to a push-up, but with your body weight supported by your forearms and toes, forming a straight line from head to heels. It primarily targets the muscles in your core, including the rectus abdominis, transverse abdominis, and obliques. Planks help improve core strength, stability, and endurance, which are crucial for maintaining proper posture, preventing lower back pain, and enhancing athletic performance in various activities.

Common mistakes people make while doing planks include sagging or arching the lower back, lifting the hips too high or letting them drop too low, holding the breath instead of breathing steadily, and putting excessive strain on the shoulders by collapsing the chest. To maximize the effectiveness of planks and avoid injury, it’s important to maintain proper alignment by engaging the core muscles, keeping the body in a straight line, and breathing deeply throughout the exercise. Gradually increasing the duration and intensity of plank holds as strength improves can help achieve better results while minimizing the risk of strain or injury.