The Hot New Fad of Planking
The planking craze is sweeping the nation, and today's youth are trying it out everywhere. It may just be another version of flagpole sitting, which was popular back in the 1920s. Flagpole sitting was the practice of sitting on top of a flagpole, on a small platform, for extended lengths of time. This spectacle was used back during the Roaring Twenties as some sort of test of endurance. Believe it or not we were taught all about flagpole sitting in public school, and you would be amazed how we all turned out. Planking is simply just an activity where a person is lying face down. Both of the person's hands must touch the sides of their body. Planking refers to people mimicking a wooden plank. Often people are photographed performing this activity in unusual locations. There are now many different clubs with websites on the internet where you can go and post your planking photos. There is even prize money involved on some of these planking websites.
It's really not known 100% for sure exactly where and when planking originated. However a Canadian man by the name of Tom Green claims to have been the inventor of this very hot new trend. He claims it all started off one day back in 1994 when he was lying down on a sidewalk without moving. He is a comedian known for his pranks, and he was on a MTV show in the 1990s. So who knows if his claim is not just another one of his pranks.
Some people have never heard of planking before. I originally learned about planking from a few co-workers, who demonstrated their own planking technique for me on company equipment. One day they all decided that they wanted to try planking out after reading about it on the Internet, and it appears as though they got the hang of it fast. I've seen on television where planking was performed on the steps of a courthouse as some crazy form of an illegal protest.
It's not exactly a sport where you have to do a lot of intense training to prepare for it. However you definitely do need to know where the right balance point is on your body for planking. I don't feel that we'll see planking as a new Olympic sport anytime soon. I'm not sure if there's anyone out there who's known as a professional planker, or if there's just recreational plankers. A matter of fact planker is not even a word!
Over the years there have been many different styles, and variations of planking. A few of these variations are owling, batmanning, teapotting, and horsemanning. Planking would almost definitely require being young at heart. Some folks ridicule and look down on planking, and think it's stupid. Planking has had it fair share of controversies. The popularity of this hot new fad has generated a backlash, and some folks object to its ridiculous aspects.
Planking can be performed just about anywhere a person desires. You do have to use some common sense when it comes planking, which seems to be in a limited supply these days, and keep safety in mind. There has been at least one recorded death associated with planking in dangerous places, where a man plunged to his death from a 7th floor balcony. Also there have been people who have been fired from their jobs for planking at work. Apparently this is frowned upon in some work places.
Planking has become known by many different names all around the world. It doesn't matter if it's a beautiful young woman on a South Texas beach, or a couple of my co-workers clowning around on the job, planking can certainly be a lot of fun, or at least it looks like a lot of people are having fun while they are doing it.
Have you ever tried planking?
If no, would you consider planking?
Comments
awesome idea i want try it :)
The Hole Story,
When I taught fitness to the children at my chapel, I played a game of the plank fitness test. I was amazed at how well the children responded! I had no idea this was going on! How fun! Anytime fitness is celebrate, the core engage, and ones endurance is test and tried is a call for exuberance! Hip, hip, Hurray! Thrilled to see this! Thank you so much for sharing!
What won't they think of next. It never ceases to amaze me. Interesting hub.
I had never heard of planking, but I used to practice yoga and this sounds like a variation of one of the yoga positions.
Fabulous article! I have not seen anyone planking, but if I do ... then I will know what they're doing! And, it looks to me like these people are wanting to practice yoga, but perhaps don't know it yet. I would say that if anyone is inclined to practice planking, then for sure they would find a yoga class even more satisfying!
I haven't heard of planking, so this was interesting, though I don't see the point. Sort of a form of civil disobedience, I suppose, so in that case I approve. Great hub!
That would take considerable core muscle strength...
This is very interesting. I'd never heard of public planking. I do something called "the plank" three times a week. It's part of an exercise routine designed for me by a personal trainer. But my toes are on the floor and my arms rest on something low. (I use the fireplace hearth that is about 6inches high. My body is stretched out like a plank. I have to maintain a rigid body. 60 seconds and I collapse. Strengthens the core. I'll have to try it the way you showed it.
Huh...have to try it!
What will the world think of next?
I don't know why this people love planking. I'm just curious since this activity is trending worldwide. But still I don't want to try it.
I think I've actually heard of this - some guy was on a bridge or something doing it. Of course, he made it look dangerous. That's probably why it caught on - like bungee jumping.
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