Side planks page

[goodangels]

I'm really enjoying working on planks to firm up my abs. Hard effort but I can see results!

I recently started doing side planks and was wondering if they would make my waist ''thick''? Until I gained weight, I always had a small waist (think hourglass figure) and now that I'm whittling the fat away I want to work on getting that tiny waist again. I want firm, but not too much muscle built up on my sides.

Do side planks make your waist thick?

If so, is there any other exercises I could focus on to sculpt down my waist?

[Grumpycakes]

Don't worry about "sculpting" your waist until you lose all the fat you want first. Do your planks or don't do them. If, when you get down to the fat level you want, you think your obliques make your waist too thick, stop doing planks and they will fade over time.

[Conner P.]

I say do em! Like said above, if you don't like the way it affects your waist, don't do em. Till then, get addicted to having killer support for your entire upper body.

[Meg-a-Tron]

Side planks hurt my elbows

[Bostonbully]

Side planks hurt my elbows

Put a pillow under your elbow. I do my ab wheel with a pillow under my knees. I'm almost able to do it standing, which by the way is rediculasly hard.

[Don]

I need to start doing these. Try them later today.

Planks have done wonders for my lower back.

[Al_Kavadlo]

Do side planks make your waist thick?

No.

If so, is there any other exercises I could focus on to sculpt down my waist?

The best way to sculpt your waist is to "exercise" some restraint at the dinner table.

Side planks hurt my elbows

So do 'em on your hands, like I'm doing in the photo which accompanies this nice tutorial on planks and side planks.

[goodangels]

The best way to sculpt your waist is to "exercise" some restraint at the dinner table.



So do 'em on your hands, like I'm doing in the photo which accompanies this nice tutorial on planks and side planks.

Hey Al!

I checked out your videos and blog - awesome stuff! You're very motivating. It's obvious you walk the talk. Keep up the good work getting us whipped into shape.

Yes, restraint at the dinner table. Always sage advice

I do my front planks on my elbows and my side planks on my hands. Works for me.

I've been working up from a pushup to a pushup, then transition to side plank, then back to pushup. Whew! Killer.

[BreeKN]

I would assume that because you are tightening/strengthening the muscle it will become firm & smaller and not bulky. I don't know what you define as bulky though and we may have different definitions =) But from my experience, my waist/abs has always been determined by my diet.

[Owly]

You abs won't get bulky. Planks are awesome for building strength and stability, but waist size is primarily affected by diet and genetics. Exercises don't "sculpt" your waist thinner--spot reduction of fat is a myth.