Exercise

Oblique Crunches

Also known as: oblique crunch, side crunch, oblique twist crunch, lateral crunch

Oblique Crunches — position 1Oblique Crunches — position 2

Oblique Crunches is a isolation exercise for the abdominals. Main target: obliques. No equipment needed — just your bodyweight.

EquipmentBodyweight
TypeIsolation
MovementPull
CategoryStrength

Muscles worked

Muscles worked in the Oblique Crunches: primary in bright, secondary in light
Primary

How to do it

  1. Lie flat on the floor with your lower back pressed to the ground. For this exercise, you will need to put one hand beside your head and the other to the side against the floor.
  2. Make sure your feet are elevated and resting on a flat surface.
  3. Now lift the shoulder in which your hand is touching your head.
  4. Simply elevate your shoulder and body upward until you touch your knee. For example, if you have your right hand besides your head, then you want to elevate your body upwards until your right elbow touches your left knee. The same variation can be applied doing the inverse and using your left elbow to touch your right knee.
  5. After your knee touches your elbow, lower your body until you have reached the starting position.
  6. Remember to breathe in during the eccentric (lowering) part of the exercise and to breathe out during the concentric (upward) part of the exercise.
  7. Continue alternating in this manner until all of the recommended repetitions for each side have been completed.

Used in these programs

Advanced Home Abs Circuit

A tough no-equipment ab circuit: jackknife sit-ups, mountain climbers, scissor kicks, oblique crunches and shoulder-tap planks, 3–4 rounds.

Intermediate · 3 times a week · Home

Similar exercises

Side Bridge
Bodyweight
Obliques
Alternate Heel Touchers
Bodyweight
Obliques
Oblique Crunches - On The Floor
Bodyweight
Obliques
45-Degree Side Bend
Bodyweight
Obliques
Plank Hip Twists
Bodyweight
Obliques
Russian Twist
Bodyweight
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Alternatives with other equipment

Barbell Side Bend
Barbell
Obliques
Bosu Ball Cable Crunch With Side Bends
Cable
Obliques
Dumbbell Side Bend
Dumbbell
Obliques
Weighted Ball Side Bend
Exercise ball
Obliques
Advanced Kettlebell Windmill
Kettlebell
Obliques
Plate Twist
Other
Obliques
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