Wondering how to get a taut and chiseled midsection? One of the premier exercises for this purpose is the oblique crunch, focusing on your core muscles. However, there’s more than one way to perform this activity! Explore the various kinds of crunches, how they each uniquely contribute to shaping your body, and determine the right one to integrate into your workout regimen.
What You Need To Know
There’s absolutely nothing like the feeling of having strong abs, but not all ab workouts are created equal. Sometimes you need to mix it up and try different exercises to help you develop a stronger core; this is especially true if you want that sexy, toned look that most people desire!
Oblique crunches use your abs in a slightly different way than your typical ab exercises, and this helps give you a strong core with a bonus of that tight, toned look.
Oblique muscles are muscles that run along your sides. They help stabilize your body during everyday activities like sitting down or standing straight, but they also work to rotate the arm and leg on the same side of your body as the oblique muscle.
Oblique crunches work to strengthen these muscles and give you a lean, sexy stomach! However, there are many different types of oblique crunches; not all of them work the same way, and some even focus on different parts of your core. You need to know which ones are the best for you, and that’s where this guide comes in!
There are four different oblique crunches, but they can be broken down even further into two categories. The first is your typical large-range core muscle movements, while the second includes smaller, more targeted exercises. Both can help you achieve a strong and lean core as long as you pick the right ones for your body!
Large Range Core Muscle Movement Oblique Crunches
Oblique crunches that involve large range movements are those where you lie on your back and lift both legs together while keeping them straight. Then you rotate to one side and bring both knees in towards your chest while maintaining good posture. This is a great exercise, but it’s only effective for your upper abs because you lie on the floor.
The good news is that it’s easy to modify this exercise to give you a stronger core! By bending your knees and bringing them up one at a time into the side of your chest, you are working out your lower abs. As you can see, there are many ways to modify an oblique crunch for just about any level of fitness.
Oblique Crunches that involve Smaller Muscle Movements
The second category of oblique crunches is those that use smaller muscles in your body. These are more targeted moves that include anything from a bench to a roll-up crunch, and instead of lying on your back, you sit on the floor with one leg outstretched in front of you. This means that these oblique crunches use smaller muscle groups rather than those big muscles from regular crunches.
Related read: 11 Best Sit Up Benches – 2021 Reviews
Oblique crunches that use the bench are excellent for toning your legs and stomach but don’t have the same effects on your core as some of these other exercises. For example, the roll-up crunch is excellent for working out your upper abs while drawing in your lower abs.
These oblique crunches are more effective because they use smaller muscle groups to work out your core. You can also add ankle weights and a medicine ball for added intensity to make them even better.
Tips on How to Best Work Your Obliques
When doing oblique crunches, you must keep a good posture throughout the entire exercise. This not only helps you get the most out of your workout, but it also protects you from injury and allows you to work out for more extended periods without getting tired.
You will use the proper muscles to make each move and get your abs in gear by keeping good posture! If needed, place a hand under your lower back for added support.
Another thing to keep in mind is that you should feel the burn after every rep! If you find yourself struggling, take a break and come back to it later; but make sure to do each oblique crunch with proper form so that you get the most out of your workout.
Oblique crunches aren’t the only way to strengthen your core and get a toned stomach; there are many different types of crunches and exercises you can do for an even better workout.
As always, make sure that you know all the correct forms and techniques before continuing with any of these oblique exercises! Also, remember to breathe throughout each movement, and never hold your breath.
Toe Touch Crunches
Start by lying on the floor with your knees bent and feet flat against the ground. Your arms should be crossed in front of you at chest level to help support your back. Then, lift the upper body without letting your lower back arch or sag. Hold this position for two seconds, then return to the ground.
Reverse Toe Touch Crunches
This one is similar to the previous move but with a few minor changes. Lie on the floor with your knees bent and feet flat against the ground. Your arms should be resting on or under your glutes for support. Then, lift the upper body without letting your lower back arch or sag. Hold this position for two seconds, then return to the ground.
Oblique Bench Crunches
Start by sitting with one leg bent in front of you with your foot flat against the ground and the other leg slightly resting on the bench behind you. Then lean back towards the bench, placing your hands behind you for support. Make sure to keep the head and shoulders off of the mat so that you can use them as well. Also, remember to keep your feet flat against the ground, and don’t let your lower back arch or sag.
Roll-Up Crunches
Start by sitting on the floor with your legs outstretched. Bend your knees and place your feet flat against the ground. Lean slightly back, then lift both of your arms into the air (think like an airplane). Then bring them forward slowly until they reach your toes before returning them to their original position.
Oblique Sit-Ups
Start by sitting on the floor (facing either left or right) and then lean back slightly while bending your knees at a 90-degree angle. Your arms should be crossed in front of you to help support your back. Lean to one side, hold that position for two seconds, and return to the center before leaning to the other side.
Seated Twists
Start by sitting on a mat with your knees bent and feet flat against the ground. Lean slightly back, then lift both of your arms into the air (think like an airplane). Then bring them forward slowly until they reach your toes before returning them to their original position. Once your arms are beside your torso, twist your upper body to one side for about five seconds before repeating on the other side.
Scissor Kicks
Start by laying flat on your back with both of your legs bent at a 90-degree angle. Then lift one leg off of the ground so that only one foot is on the floor at a time. Make sure to keep your shoulders flat against the ground, and don’t let the lower back arch or sag! Once you’ve finished with one leg, switch legs after holding this position for two seconds.
Cross Crunches
Start by laying on the floor with both of your legs outstretched and arms crossed in front of your chest. This time, however, keep your legs off of the ground and hold one leg bent while the other leg remains straight. Twist from side to side as you simultaneously switch from straight leg to bent leg for 10-15 reps each (20 if you can).
Reverse Sit-Ups
Start by laying on the floor with your legs outstretched. Bend your knees and place your feet flat against the ground, then lean back slightly while crossing both of your hands across your chest. Slowly lift yourself off of the ground about six inches while keeping a slight bend in both of your knees. Hold this position for two seconds before returning to the floor. Keep in mind that the slower you lift yourself, the more effective this exercise is.
One-Leg Crunches
Start by laying flat on your back with both of your legs outstretched. Lift one foot off of the ground while still leaving the other leg down. Once you’ve achieved a 45-degree angle with that leg, hold it off of the ground for two seconds before returning to the ground and switching legs.
What Oblique Crunches are Right For You
It’s tough to say precisely what oblique crunches are right for you; it depends on your fitness goals. If you want those tight, toned, and strong abs and core, go with smaller targeted moves like a roll-up or bench crunch. These will target all of the muscles in your core, giving you a smooth, flatter stomach.
If you want the look of strong abs but don’t care about having a toned tummy, go for larger oblique crunches like the traditional bicycle because they will work to strengthen your upper back by using those large muscles. You can also try extending one leg while doing these oblique crunches, making them more challenging and help tone your core.
Be sure to check with your doctor before beginning any new exercise routine, especially if you plan on doing ab exercises. This is especially true if you have an injury or bad back because ab workouts can strain your back muscles, and back pain can be a warning sign of a more severe problem.
Conclusion
Oblique crunches are among the best moves for targeting your core, but not all oblique exercises are created equal. If you want to get a toned and tight belly, it’s essential to know which ones will work well for you! This in-depth guide has everything you need to know about these types of crunches and what each can do for your body.
You learned how different ab workouts could help achieve strong abs with a bonus – a lean sexy stomach! With this information at hand, pick the right type or combination of exercises so that you can start achieving those goals today!
