Oblique crunch

Category

Core

Difficulty

Intermediate

Equipment

Bodyweight

Primary muscles

External Obliques, Internal Obliques

Secondary muscles

Rectus Abdominis, Iliopsoas

How to do it

1. Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Place your hands behind your head, keeping your elbows wide.
2. Engage your core muscles and lift your upper back off the floor, rotating your abdomen to raise your right elbow towards the ceiling.
3. Squeeze your obliques at the top of the movement and slowly lower your upper back to the starting position with control.
4. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions, then switch sides to work the opposite oblique.

Form tips

• Exhale as you lift and rotate your upper body, and inhale as you lower it back down.
• Avoid pulling on your neck with your hands; let your abs do the work.
• Focus on engaging your oblique muscles throughout the movement.