Oblique Crunch

Lying on your side (or dropping your legs to one side), you curl your torso up to target the obliques.

Beginner · Recommended Sets: 3 sets x 12-15 reps each side · Obliques

Oblique Crunch — Points to Check Today

  • Don't pull your neck with your hands — Pulling your head with your hands only strains the neck. (Yanking your head forward with your hands)
  • Curl up using your obliques — Lift with an oblique contraction, not momentum. (Jerking up with momentum using only your neck and shoulders)
  • Use a small range, but precise — The obliques can't lift far, so keep it short and squeeze precisely. (Twisting the lower back trying to force a higher lift)

Oblique Crunch — How to Do It / If You're New

  1. Lie on the floor with knees bent, then drop both knees to one side so your side faces up.
  2. Rest your top hand lightly beside your head and keep your lower back anchored.
  3. Contract your obliques to curl your torso (shoulders) up at an angle. Squeeze the obliques for 1 second at the top.
  4. Lower slowly back to the start. Finish one side, then repeat on the other.