How To Do The Oblique Crunch

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Hit your abs from the side to target the obliques, the muscles that frame your six-pack

Man performs oblique crunch
(Image credit: Glen Burrows)
  • Lie on your side with your arm in front and bend your knees.
  • Touch your fingers to your temples.
  • Use your side abs to crunch up sideways.
  • Hold for a second at the top of the move, then lower slowly back to the start.

Variation: Gym ball oblique crunch

Gym ball oblique crunch

(Image credit: Glen Burrows)

Get a greater range of movement by wrapping your body around the ball.

  • Lie sideways and curl your body round the ball.
  • Jam your feet against a wall for support.

Variation: Dumbbell side bend

Dumbbell side bend

(Image credit: Glen Burrows)

Vary the resistance you place on your obliques by using a dumbbell.  

  • Holding a dumbbell in one hand and lean to that side.
  • The lean as far as you can to the other side without leaning forward or back.
Nick Hutchings

Nick Hutchings worked for Men’s Fitness UK, which predated, and then shared a website with, Coach. Nick worked as digital editor from 2008 to 2011, head of content until 2014, and finally editor-in-chief until 2015.