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Oblique Crunches - On The Floor

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

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

How to do the Oblique Crunches - On The Floor

  1. Start out by lying on your right side with your legs lying on top of each other. Make sure your knees are bent a little bit.
  2. Place your left hand behind your head.
  3. Once you are in this set position, begin by moving your left elbow up as you would perform a normal crunch except this time the main emphasis is on your obliques.
  4. Crunch as high as you can, hold the contraction for a second and then slowly drop back down into the starting position.
  5. Remember to breathe in during the eccentric (lowering) part of the exercise and to breathe out during the concentric (elevation) part of the exercise.

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 - On The Floor

Questions

What muscles does the Oblique Crunches - On The Floor work?

Mainly the abs.

Is the Oblique Crunches - On The Floor 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 - On The Floor?

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 - On The Floor 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).