I was with them until they mentioned planks. What a shit-tier exercise that is. Zero range of motion.

I instinctively want to argue, but I'm aware enough of certain influencers that I understand it's possible you're making fun of them.

Does lemmy/Piefed have a good active fitness community yet?

It’s right there in my comment. Isometric exercises are shit-tier for developing core strength. They have a poor effort to result ratio. Lots of effort for poor results.

Cable crunch is a massive improvement from planks. You get a good stretch, there’s more than zero range of motion, and you can adjust weight for progressive overload.

Roman chair knee or leg raises are good too. Russian twist or cable twist for obliques.

Planks have no range of motion, no stretch, no progressive overload. It is an absolutely shit exercise IMO.

Range of motion and stretch are key to building muscle. Core muscles are no different than any other muscle. You wouldn’t build chest or quads effectively by holding an isometric lift, why apply this to abs?

Beyond absolute noobs who can’t hold a plank for 1-2 minutes, I feel it’s a bad exercise. Once you can hold it for 2 mins there’s no point. It’s a ton of effort and you get a good burn, but you’re not going to build muscle or strength for the aforementioned reasons.

Of course, do whatever works for you. For me? Absolute shit tier exercise, almost anything else is an improvement. Perhaps we’re talking about different goals here, though.

I’m 6’3”, in my 40s, and no lower back pain despite being on the computer most of my life, so I feel I’m doing something right with regards to back health.

You have responded so respectfully. Appreciate your well drafted messages.