Decline Plank How to Exercise Guide

Video Demonstration

We are going to look at another Pilates/Calisthenics exercise. The Decline plank places a higher focus on your shoulders then the traditional plank version. While extra work gets provided to your upper body, unfortunately, this reduces the amount of tension put on your core.

This article will include a video, image and written step by step description on how to do the Bent Knee Hip Raise also commonly called the Reverse Crunch exercise.

Its difficulty level, the equipment you need to do it. The different muscle groups that get worked when you perform it.

The benefits you get when adding it to your training routine. Also, some different training cues to use when you are performing it.

How to do the Decline Plank

Image Example

Step by Step Description

Step 1: Start by placing a box, chair, Stability ball, or flat bench on the ground behind you.

Step 2: Put your feet up on to the chair. Set your feet so that only your toes are touching the platform.

Step 3: Place your forearms on the floor. Make sure that your elbows are directly inline with your shoulders.

Step 4: Now align your body so that it forms a straight vertical line from your head to your heels. Focus on tightening your whole body making yourself as stiff as possible.

Step 5: Hold this position for the time that you have selected.

You have now completed your first set of Decline Plank. Repeat for the desired amount of sets that you have selected.

Difficulty Level

The Decline Plank is an intermediate difficulty level exercise. You should have a solid grasp on the traditional plank before you attempt to include it in your routine.

Equipment Required

You will need something for you to place your feet on to put your body at a decline angle. This platform can be anything from a bosu ball, weighted bench to using the stairs in your house.

Another useful piece of equipment to have is a weighted vest. Using a weighted vest will allow you to continue making progress by slowly loading more and more weight each time you perform this exercise.

Check out Titans vest it allows you to load up to 100 pounds in increments of 2 lbs.

Decline Plank Muscles Worked

The Primary muscles that get worked by this lift are your Core and Shoulders.

The Secondary muscles involved are your Lower Back, Glutes and the Hip Flexors.

Decline Plank Benefits

Helps to increase your strength while improving your balance and stability.

Since your feet are at a higher incline, more weight gets placed on your shoulders than the traditional plank variation.

Strengthening your core can help reduce your chances of injury in the gym and your daily activities. Building up your core can also limit back pain and in some cases remove it entirely.

You can do it without any equipment.

In Closing

Building a strong core will help your lower back to remain injury free and can increase the weight you can move on other compound lifts like your Squats and Deadlifts.

While this exercise does provide some core training it much less efficient than the traditional plank and other more efficient exercises that could be used to train similar muscle groups.

So if you are just looking for some variation in your training routine, you might as well through this exercise in now and then. Beyond that, I think this is quite an inefficient exercise.

You may Also Like

Flat Bench Lying Leg Raise
Swiss Ball Plank
Gorilla Chin Crunch
Weighted Knee Raise

References

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