I was able to get my hands on a Plankpad this holiday season and I’ve been using it for a few months now. Here is my Plankpad review. If you’re unfamiliar with planking, it is one of the best core workouts you can do. The standard plank is a bit different from the meme that was popular a few years ago. It’s very simple. While lying on the floor, prop up on your elbows while keeping your neck, back and legs straight. Hold this pose and before long you’ll start to feel the effect. There are countless variations too.
The Plankpad itself is a straightforward device. There’s a foam pad on top of a wooden board with a rounded attachment at the bottom. It also comes with a non-slip mat to place the board on top of. The rounded bottom makes the plank a little more effective because it requires you to maintain balance.
What’s great about this device, and really planking in general, is that it is portable. You can plank anywhere. It also doesn’t take long to get an effective workout in. A couple minutes here and there can make a real difference. I keep mine in my office, and do a minute or two whenever I need to take a break from e-mails. I noticed a difference pretty much right away.
The App
One of the major selling points of the Plankpad is the games. They solve one of the major problems with planking by itself, having to watch a clock while you hold the pose. There are 10 mini-games available in the app. For each one, you control the game by shifting your balance left or right while planking. Despite the limited controls, the games are relatively versatile. In one game, Snow Cruisin’, you are on a snowboard and trying to avoid obstacles. In another, Meteor Madness, you shoot at meteors. There’s even an option that resembles the arcade classic Pong. Each time you play it keeps track of your high score, so you’re always motivated to go just a little bit longer.
In addition to the games there’s a begginner friendly 30 day challenge mode that gets gradually harder each day and a pure workout mode with a few variations on the straight plank to really challenge yourself.
How to Make it Better
The games are fun, but they could be a bit deeper. The app keeps track of your high scores, but otherwise there are no unlockables or achievements. It would be relatively simple to add achievement badges, unlockables or a few extra levels to up the motivation factor. A daily log in bonus is a no brainer and would be a game changer in helping people stay committed. That said, the device as a whole is well worth it if you’re looking for a quick way to build a stronger core.