Starfish Plank – Core Balance

Starfish Plank – Core Balance

Improve your core balance with Starfish Planks by watching the video at the far bottom. As you will see, this is not an exercise that you would often see used in the gym, or given by instructors, but I love it!

WHO SHOULD USE THIS EXERCISE AND WHEN?

Intermediate – advanced gym rats should look at attempting this one. If the normal style and side planks are fairly easy for you already, then, by all means, move on to this one.

Use starfish planks in circuits along with other exercises that focus on building core balance for maximum results. Here are a couple to help get you started:

Bottoms Up Core Press: https://immortal-training.com/bottoms-up-core-press/

Isometric V Sit-Ups: https://immortal-training.com/isometric-v-sit-up/

WHAT ARE THE MAIN MUSCLES INVOLVED?

  • Transverse Abdominis
  • Rectus Abdominis
  • Obliques

 

KEY POINTS

  • Begin in a plank position on your hands (advanced), or on your elbows (beginners)
  • Make sure that your core is braced, keeping your navel drawn in towards your spine throughout
  • Shift on to a side plank position whilst balancing on one hand/elbow, with the opposite arm and leg raised
  • Balance yourself for a second, or two, and then shift on to the other side

 

Overhead Sit-Up with Resistance Band – Core Exercises

Overhead Sit-Up with Resistance Band – Core Exercises

This is one of the more advanced core exercises for building explosive strength. If you’re capable, but are not doing overhead sit-ups on a regular basis for some reason then you are missing out on some big gains!

WHO SHOULD USE THIS EXERCISE?

Recommended for intermediate to advanced gym goers. It might be a good idea to start with Single Arm Overhead KB Sit-ups if you have not yet built up enough strength to use band with both arms: https://immortal-training.com/single-arm-overhead-kb-sit-up/

WHICH MUSCLES DOES THIS EXERCISE TARGET?

  • Rectus Abdominis
  • Transverse Abdominis

WHAT ARE THE KEY POINTS?

  • Attach the band to a stable apparatus
  • Lay flat on your back, knees bent, with your feet on the floor
  • Hold the band with both hands, extend your arms towards the ceiling and keep the elbows locked
  • Explode upwards whilst driving your lower back into the ground
  • Your arms should be above your head when you are completely sat up
  • Lower yourself back down slowly and repeat

 

Home Workout for Core

Home Workout for Core

HOW DO THE CORE MUSCLES WORK?

A brief understanding…

The Immortal Training approach to training the abdominal group is always functional. That means that we aren’t going to waste our time focusing on a bunch of small movements like crunches and sit-ups. And if we do include any of those exercises they will be tweaked in a way as to engage the core correctly. Working together, the core muscles’ main job is to anchor and balance the body, in most cases, while the bigger muscles work. You may notice that when you go to perform a dead lift, bracing your abs is the first thing that happens. This is an example of how the core works – typically, never alone.

DO I NEED ANY EQUIPMENT?

Here’s what you need…

  • Kettle Bell or Home Made Kettle Bell (see video)
  • Resistance Bands

LET’S GET IT!

Watch the video below to for instructions on how to perform each exercise.

Go here for my recommended warm-ups: https://youtu.be/JFdvISOXmY4

CIRCUIT 1:

  • Turkish Get-Up – 4-5 reps on each side
  • Banded Double Crunch or Double Crunch – 8-10 reps
  • Climbing Plank – 8-10 reps
  • 1-2 min rest
  • 3-5 sets

CIRCUIT 2:

  • Fighter Pilot Sit-Up – 8-10 reps on each side
  • Starfish Plank – 6-8 reps on each side
  • Swim Kicks – 10-20 reps on each side
  • 1-2 min rest
  • 3-5 sets

CIRCUIT 3:

  • Resistance Band Wood Chop – 10-12 reps on each side
  • V Toe Touches – 8-10 reps on each side
  • Hip Raises – 8-10 reps
  • 1-2 min rest
  • 3-5 sets

GO GET ‘EM IMMORTALS!

 

 

You can also try this home workout for legs!: https://immortal-training.com/home-workout-for-legs/