When it comes to the fittest people in Bollywood, Shilpa Shetty Kundra’s name is among the top. The 48-year-old actress, dancer, producer, and businesswoman has defied her age by her fantastic looks and immaculately maintained body. Shilpa, who has been a poster girl of fitness and well-being has been particularly active on social media, trying to help people embrace fitness as a way to uplift their mind and body.
One can always find her sharing snippets of her workout regime, explaining everything from gym workouts and aerobics to yoga and meditation. She recently took to Instagram to share another of such snipper with trainer Yashmeen Chauhan where she explained how to develop ‘washboard abs’.
Are Washboard Abs And Six-Pack Abs The Same?
Even though the terms ‘washboard abs’ and ‘six-pack abs’ are used interchangeably, there is little difference between the two. While the ‘six-pack abs’ refers to six distinct blocky muscles, washboard abs are more of an angular and defined appearance, resembling the ridges of a washboard. It is often associated with highly visible muscle definition and an extremely low body fat percentage.
Also Read: 6 Quick Cardio Exercises To Do At Home
Shilpa’s Secret To Washboard Abs
In a recent Instagram post, Shilpa gave a glimpse of her workout regime that enhances her very famous washboard abs. According to the actress, the recipe for those abs is “Planks, planks, and more planks”. She also shared a specific workout routine that will train the entire body, while focusing majorly on the core muscles. The workout includes an extended arm plank with hip extensions, a side elbow plank with hip dips, and an elbow plank with hip abduction and adduction. These three exercises are supposed to be performed in sets of three of 15 to 20 repetitions. According to the actress, these exercises will strengthen the core, arms, legs, shoulders, and back muscles, and build muscle endurance.
Why Do Planks?
According to a study by NCBI, high- to very-high-intensity plank exercise can improve immunocyte function and physical fitness. Here’s how your body would benefit from regular plank exercises:
- Strengthens The Core: The plank exercises are proven to strengthen the core which consists of the spine, shoulder bones, pelvis, and joints.
- Reduces Belly Fat: The plank exercises engage the abdominal muscles and help getting rid of stubborn belly fat. It is advised to perform these exercises regularly in order to be in a more defined shape.
- Improves Metabolism: These exercises facilitate the development of muscle mass, which in turn burns more calories and regulates a healthy appetite. If planks are a regular part of your exercise regime, expect a better metabolism amongst other things.
- Improves Flexibility: Practicing plank exercises on a regular basis helps stretch the core muscles which aids in better flexibility of the body.
With the extensive number of benefits of this one exercise pose, it is highly recommended to incorporate it into your daily workout routine. With its different variations, it can be highly beneficial for different areas of your body. Hence, if you are looking for something rather simple, this pose is just the right pick.