Oblique Crunch

A bodyweight abdominal exercise that isolates the obliques through a diagonal crunch movement performed on the floor.

Instructions

1. Lie flat on your back on a mat with your lower back pressed firmly to the ground.
2. Bend your knees and place your feet flat on the floor, positioned hip-width apart.
3. Place one hand beside your head and the other hand across your chest or on the opposite side.
4. Keep your feet elevated or place them on a flat surface for stability.
5. Lift your shoulder by contracting your obliques, raising your torso diagonally across your body.
6. Continue the crunch until your elbow approaches your opposite knee.
7. Lower your body back to the starting position with control.
8. Complete all repetitions on one side before switching to the other side.

Tips

• Move slowly and deliberately to maximize oblique engagement.
• Avoid pulling on your neck; let the obliques do the work.
• Breathe in during the eccentric phase and out during the crunch.
• Keep your lower back in contact with the mat throughout.
• The movement should be a diagonal crunch, not a full sit-up.
• Perform the same number of repetitions on both sides for balanced development.
• Add weight or resistance once bodyweight becomes easy.