Fox & Friends Hosts Test Core Strength with Plank Challenge
Fox & Friends co-hosts Brian Kilmeade and Lawrence Jones recently engaged in a competitive plank challenge, demonstrating their core strength. The hosts held a low plank for over a minute, surpassing the average duration for their age group. A fitness expert at Lifetime in New York City provided age-specific plank duration targets, emphasizing the versatility of the exercise.
While planks are commonly associated with abdominal workouts, they also engage the arms, legs, chest, and back. Experts recommend starting with 15 to 30 seconds for beginners and gradually increasing the time, with two minutes as a general maximum. The challenge highlights the importance of core strength and the various ways planks can benefit overall fitness.
Kilmeade and Jones both held low planks, but Kilmeade managed to hold his for a few seconds longer, showcasing a slight edge in core endurance. Fitness experts note that the isometric nature of planks works the entire torso, making it a more comprehensive exercise than traditional sit-ups or crunches, which can strain the back and neck.
Additionally, planks can improve posture while sitting or standing and help boost flexibility by stretching the lower half of the body, according to Healthline. There are also variations of the plank that target different parts of the body, including side planks, knee touches, hip dips, and leg/arm extensions. These variations allow for a more customized fitness routine tailored to individual goals.
As part of the challenge, the hosts demonstrated how planking can be modified for beginners, such as dropping the knees to the floor to reduce difficulty. This approach makes planking accessible to people at all fitness levels, emphasizing the exercise’s adaptability and effectiveness in building core strength.
The event not only entertained the audience but also served as an educational platform, raising awareness about the benefits of planking. By combining fitness demonstration with informative content, the challenge encouraged viewers to incorporate planks into their routines, promoting healthier lifestyles through simple, effective exercises.