Elbow touches are a popular exercise that can be done anywhere and anytime. They are a great way to improve your cardiovascular health, burn calories, and strengthen your upper body. Elbow touches involve bringing your opposite elbow to meet your knee while in a plank position. They are a simple yet effective way to work on your core strength and overall fitness.
How to do Elbow Touches
To do elbow touches, start in a plank position with your arms straight and your feet hip-width apart. Your shoulders should be directly over your wrists, and your body should form a straight line from your head to your heels. From this position, bring your right knee towards your left elbow, then return to the starting position. Next, bring your left knee towards your right elbow, then return to the starting position. This completes one repetition. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Benefits of Elbow Touches
There are many benefits of doing elbow touches. Firstly, they are a great way to improve your cardiovascular health. Elbow touches get your heart rate up and help you burn calories, which can help you lose weight and improve your overall fitness. Secondly, they are a great way to strengthen your core muscles. Elbow touches target your abs, obliques, and lower back muscles, which are important for maintaining good posture and preventing back pain. Finally, elbow touches are a convenient exercise that can be done anywhere and anytime. You can do them at home, at the gym, or even while travelling.
Variations of Elbow Touches
There are many variations of elbow touches that you can try to make the exercise more challenging or to target different muscle groups. Some variations include:
- Mountain Climber Elbow Touches: This variation involves bringing your knee towards your opposite elbow while performing a mountain climber exercise.
- Side Plank Elbow Touches: This variation involves performing elbow touches while in a side plank position.
- Reverse Plank Elbow Touches: This variation involves performing elbow touches while in a reverse plank position.
Precautions When Doing Elbow Touches
It is important to take certain precautions when doing elbow touches to prevent injury. Firstly, ensure that your core muscles are engaged and your back is flat throughout the exercise. Avoid arching your back or letting your hips sag. Secondly, do not let your knees or feet touch the ground during the exercise. Thirdly, avoid doing elbow touches if you have a wrist or shoulder injury, or if you experience pain during the exercise.
Conclusion
Elbow touches are a simple yet effective exercise that can help you improve your cardiovascular health, strengthen your core muscles, and burn calories. They are a convenient exercise that can be done anywhere and anytime, and can be modified to suit your fitness level and goals. However, it is important to take precautions when doing elbow touches to prevent injury and ensure that you are performing the exercise correctly.