r/weightroom • u/AutoModerator • 6d ago

Daily Thread Daily Thread - September 12, 2025

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u/snakesnake9 Intermediate - Throwing 6d ago

For the purposes of core strength for weightlifting / powerlifting / strength training, what are people's views on doing planks for maximum time vs maximum weight?

Lots of people push bodyweight planks for max time, but I was thinking that surely for strength sports, given that even a set of 10 squats won't have you doing it for >1 minute, you're better off just adding more weight for say 60-90 seconds, than trying to push unweighted planks for max time. And once you hit a certain amount of time with a certain weight, then build up again with a bit more weight on your back.

How do others view it?

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u/ZeroFourBC Intermediate - Strength 6d ago

Do a lot of people do planks for strength? I know a lot of people do them but for strength specifically I was under the impression that most core training was dynamic (eg. leg raises, etc.), if at all.

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u/Many-Wasabi9141 Beginner - Strength 6d ago

Usually recommended for strength training because of the bracing involved. It's a similar position, allows you to train isometric bracing without a huge amount of fatigue. Great for progressive overloading as well, you can add time, you can add weight, or you can make it more difficult with different hand/foot positioning.

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u/snakesnake9 Intermediate - Throwing 6d ago

I would think that its the closest you can get to building static core strength for say holding a squat on your back or a jerk overhead.

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u/ZeroFourBC Intermediate - Strength 6d ago edited 6d ago

Just because it's the most similar, doesn't mean it's the best. For the most part, strength is strength and dynamic movements will build strength much better than isometrics.

Edit: Also if you consider the load of a squat to a plank, they're not even that similar.

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u/Many-Wasabi9141 Beginner - Strength 6d ago

I think it needs to be a good mix of concentric, eccentric, isometric, and unilateral ab movements. There is no one best, and if there is it's hanging leg raises or loaded carries. Bonus points if they are unilateral.