Oblique Crunch

How to do it

1. Lie on one side with your knees bent and your legs stacked.
2. Place your bottom hand on the floor in front of you for balance and your top hand beside your head.
3. Crunch sideways, bringing your top ribs toward your top hip.
4. Keep the movement small and controlled, with your chest still facing forward.
5. Lower back to the start, finish your reps, then switch sides.

Key cues

• Ribs toward hip
• Elbow wide, neck long
• Chest faces forward, not up
• Brace your abs before each rep
• Move slowly

Common mistakes

• Pulling on your neck with your hand
• Leaning on your bottom hand so the obliques do less work
• Compensating with your hip flexors instead of curling from the torso
• Rushing through the reps

Muscles worked

Primary

Obliques

Secondary

Abs

Equipment

Exercise mat.

References

1. Peloton: How to Do Side Crunches (Oblique Crunches)
2. Planfit: Oblique Crunch