Oblique Crunch | Exercise Illustration

Primary muscles: Abs, obliques
Secondary muscles: Core, upper back, legs
Equipment: No equipment

Oblique Crunch Instructions

1. Lie on your right side with your legs straight, feet off the floor, and place your left hand behind the head.
2. Bend both knees, raise your torso, and, as you squeeze the abs, try touching your left knee with your left elbow.
3. Straighten both legs, lower your torso back to the floor, repeat, then switch sides.

Proper Form And Breathing Pattern

Keep your core engaged, back straight, and start each rep with your shoulder on the mat. Breathe out as you bend your knees and lift your torso off the floor. Reach your elbow toward the knee and inhale as you lower your upper body and legs back to the starting position.

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Exercise Benefits

The oblique crunch fully engages the abdominal wall and the obliques and helps to sculpt the waist. This exercise strengthens the back, tightens the core, tones the abs, and improves balance and flexibility.

Oblique Crunch Demonstration

Sets And Reps

Practice doing triangle crunches, the lying side crunch and side leg lifts first. Once you’re comfortable with your form, advance to the oblique crunch and do 2 or 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps, on each side.

Calories Burned

To calculate the number of calories burned doing the oblique crunch, enter your weight and the duration of the exercise:

Related Core Exercises

Try these other core exercises to tighten, sculpt and strengthen your abs, obliques, lats and lower back:
Side leg lifts
Prone back extension
Boat twist
Lying side crunch

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