Oblique crunches on the floor target the abdominal muscles, especially the obliques, by incorporating a twisting motion as you crunch up. This exercise is performed lying on your back, using only body weight, and is suitable for most fitness levels.
Also Works
Obliques
How to Perform
1
Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor.
2
Place your hands behind your head or cross them over your chest.
3
Engage your abs and lift your shoulder blades off the floor, rotating your torso to one side.
4
Pause for a moment, then lower your shoulder blades back down to the floor.
5
Repeat on the other side, alternating sides with each repetition.
Pro Tips
•Rotate your torso by driving your shoulder toward the opposite knee, not by moving your elbow forward.
•Keep your lower back pressed into the floor throughout the movement to prevent hip flexor dominance.
•Exhale as you rotate and crunch up to fully engage the obliques.
Common Mistakes
•Moving the elbow forward toward the knee rather than rotating the torso, which only creates the illusion of rotation.
•Using momentum to swing from side to side rather than controlled, deliberate oblique contractions.
•Lifting with the neck and head instead of initiating the movement from the core.