Planking can be incredible for your core – but just how long do you have to hold the muscle-blasting pose for it to be effective?
According to professor and spine specialist Stuart McGill, PhD, the answer is just 10 seconds.
Speaking to The Telegraph, McGill said: “There’s no utility to this kind of activity other than claiming a record.”
Rather, McGill suggests that those looking to benefit from planking will see greater results if they rely on three 10-second intervals, rather than longer holds, or the “Big 3” – which includes curl-ups, side planks, and bird dog exercises.