The Cha Cha Slide plank challenge is a killer abs workout but it’s also huge fun! Watch the WH team attempting it; then see how far you can get! To the left…
Where It Started
Earlier this year US personal trainer Dan Baldwin posted a workout video of an abs workout that he called the #chachaplank. Essentially it involves doing the actions to that annoying Cha Cha Slide song that you always end up dancing to at weddings, even though you hate yourself for doing it – only now, you’re in high plank position. That’s right. If you thought it was never-ending torture on the dance floor, just you wait…. Needless to say, the video went viral and the trainer who usually gets a couple hundred views on his YouTube uploads was suddenly sitting on close to 100 000. Like the song, the idea kind of sticks in your head – once, you’ve seen it you just have to try it!
WH Tests It
Of course, here at WH HQ we had to give it a go. And does it count as exercise? You bet! It’s also the most fun you’ll ever have doing an abs workout. Here are some tips if you want to try it yourself:
1. Make sure you hold your plank position – when you’re hopping around, it’s easy to end up with your bum in the air. Use a mirror to help you maintain form.
2. Warm your wrists up beforehand. Anytime you’re doing time on your hands during a workout (handstands and push-ups, we’re looking at you!) it’s a good idea to warm your wrists up to avoid overuse injuries.
3. Have fun with it! Make up your own moves for other parts of the song – try mountain climbers for “go to work” or Chaturanga Dandasana to test “how low can you go”…that, is if you get that far!
Workout Wednesday Challenge: We made it to just under two minutes. How long can you last? Challenge your friends to see who can last the longest. Be sure to tweet us and let us know how you did!
Check out Amanda du-Pont’s ab workout challenge if you want to score amazing abs for summer and here’s how to master the plank if you’re worried about your form.
