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Pandemic Planking Group Bolsters Friendships and Abs

This long-time group of friends found a healthy way to connect during COVID-19

Courtesy David Hoff Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. Six days a week, my wife Sally and I gather with friends for a brief session where we all plank — a full body exercise where . Our sessions do more than strengthen our muscles; they strengthen bonds of friendships that started in college almost 40 years ago and connect us to people who are outside our pandemic bubbles. By 7:30, Marta joins from Florida and Todd and Laura, from either their Brooklyn apartment or home in Maine. As we prepare, we chat about the weather, the news or whatever is on our minds. Then Marta says, “Ready?” We mumble our assent, knowing how difficult the next few minutes will be. "3. 2. 1. Go." And we start planking. Some of us get into the traditional position, putting our forearms on our yoga mats and straightening our bodies from head to toe. Others modify their position to accommodate injuries, aches or pains.

Building up muscles little by little

Planking requires no equipment and can be done anywhere. You start by lying down and push your body up, . By keeping your toes firmly grounded, your back straight and your abdominal muscles engaged, you strengthen muscles in your arms, abs, back and legs. Compared to sit-ups or push-ups, . There are several variations of planks, some of which are easier to hold over a longer period. Our planking group started shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted everyone's lives. Having previously failed to complete the 30-day plank challenge after several attempts, Marta asked Todd and Laura to join her to plank six days a week (Saturday is a rest day). When they started, they planked for 30 seconds and gradually increased as they went along. Laura invited Sally to join during one of their “how are you making it through this pandemic” calls. A few days later, I invited myself. Flowers & Gifts 25% off sitewide and 30% off select items See more Flowers & Gifts offers > Over the months, we have gradually increased the length of the planks. At times, some of us modify our position . While the accommodation releases pressure on the hands and back, it still engages muscles in the core, legs and arms. We arrange our lives to attend every day. But sometimes schedules interfere (Todd often has early morning conference calls for his work in international development) or someone oversleeps (who, me?). But over the months, we've kept at it and built our endurance. As timekeeper, Marta will add five seconds every couple days without telling us. At the end of one day's session, she'll say: “Congratulations, we've added 15 seconds this week." Secretly, we're happy to hit a new milestone. Outwardly, we all complain that she tricked us into getting there. As of now, we're at four minutes a day. No one is clamoring for more. Our 30-day plank challenge has been going on for 100 days. Just like everything else in 2020, it's not going according to schedule. We have yet to reach the goal of five-minute planks. But we don't care. Our success is defined by deepening our friendships and supporting each other through difficult times. Improved fitness is a bonus. More on home-family AARP NEWSLETTERS %{ newsLetterPromoText }% %{ description }% Subscribe AARP VALUE & MEMBER BENEFITS See more Health & Wellness offers > See more Flights & Vacation Packages offers > See more Finances offers > See more Health & Wellness offers > SAVE MONEY WITH THESE LIMITED-TIME OFFERS