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Oblique Crunches

A beginner strength exercise for the abs, done with just your bodyweight.

Oblique Crunches: starting positionOblique Crunches: finishing position
Main muscles
Abs
Equipment
Bodyweight
Level
Beginner
Type
Isolation
Movement
Pull

How to do the Oblique Crunches

  1. Lie flat on the floor with your lower back pressed to the ground. For this exercise, you will need to put one hand beside your head and the other to the side against the floor.
  2. Make sure your feet are elevated and resting on a flat surface.
  3. Now lift the shoulder in which your hand is touching your head.
  4. Simply elevate your shoulder and body upward until you touch your knee. For example, if you have your right hand besides your head, then you want to elevate your body upwards until your right elbow touches your left knee. The same variation can be applied doing the inverse and using your left elbow to touch your right knee.
  5. After your knee touches your elbow, lower your body until you have reached the starting position.
  6. Remember to breathe in during the eccentric (lowering) part of the exercise and to breathe out during the concentric (upward) part of the exercise.
  7. Continue alternating in this manner until all of the recommended repetitions for each side have been completed.

Sets and reps

Muscle3–4 sets of 10–15 reps, rest 60–90 seconds
Pump or finisher2–3 sets of 15–20 reps, rest 45–60 seconds

Log every set in MyoStats and it works out your estimated one-rep max and suggests the next weight or rep target, so you keep progressing without guessing.

Alternatives to the Oblique Crunches

Questions

What muscles does the Oblique Crunches work?

Mainly the abs.

Is the Oblique Crunches good for beginners?

Yes. It's rated a beginner exercise: start light and learn the movement before adding weight.

What can I do instead of the Oblique Crunches?

Good alternatives that train the abs: Alternate Heel Touchers, Crunch - Hands Overhead, Crunch - Legs On Exercise Ball or Crunches.

How many sets and reps of the Oblique Crunches should I do?

Muscle: 3–4 sets of 10–15 reps, rest 60–90 seconds. Pump or finisher: 2–3 sets of 15–20 reps, rest 45–60 seconds.

Exercise steps and photos: free-exercise-db (public domain).