[srb-]

the plank (an exercise to help lose excess fat round the stomach)

Cringe. Hard to take the writer seriously after this statement. The rest of the article seemed fine so I googled around to see if there was some stunning new research showing the plank (or any specific movement) spot-reducing fat. Nope.

[leonroy]

To be honest spot reduction is one of those stubborn myths that persists much like people believing that fat is the boogey man.

Nutrition and fitness seem to be areas which really lack good, hard science behind the many assumptions we make about them.