plank raises

I am very lucky-- with an incredibly high metabolism, I have been EXTREMELY skinny all my life.

However, like all things in life, there are drawbacks.

I'm what you would call a lean-gainer , as well as an insomniac with low self-esteem.

So, I use a work out that caters to all those needs.

During the summer, I use back-packing and biking to work my legs and calves, and these both really help build endurance.

In the winter, I will often run through the snow, letting the cold air and my rapid pace drain my energy so I can fall asleep easier.

Finally, in order to help with my self-esteem and lean gaining, I use a combination of plank raises and curls to achieve the small but growing 6 pack I now have.

While it is hard on the lower back, in order to really work those core abdominal muscles, I put up to 50 pds. of weight on my legs as I raised and held them for up to two minutes.

This really created a burn and helped me build my abdominal muscles.

However, the only drawback I find with the plank raises is the speed at which your body adapts to it, forcing you to either A.

Put on more weight or B. Hold it longer.

In any case, it is the plank raises that are my key to success.