Our 6 Favorite Moves for Obliques

Working out your obliques is an important part of building core strength and preventing back and shoulder injuries. But sometimes they can get neglected in ab workouts. To fix that, here are our 6 favorite moves for working your obliques.

Add any of these exercises into your regular workout routine, or for a full oblique-burning workout, do each exercise for 30 seconds on, 10 seconds off. Run through the whole set 3-4 times depending on the level of intensity you want.

Spider Plank

Bonus: this one works your arms, back and abs as well. In a high plank position, bring your knee out to the side and up to your elbow, alternating legs each time.

Ankle Taps

Lay in a crunch position, head and shoulders lifted off the mat, with both arms straight out in front. One side at a time, reach your hand out to touch your ankle. Alternate sides each time.

Standing Side Crunches

Standing with your feet shoulder width apart, reach one arm straight down your leg until you reach your knee, then straighten back up. 

To really feel this exercise, hold a dumbbell in your active arm. Do a full set on one side before switching to the others.

Plank with Hip Dips 

Hold a plank position and rotate your hips around side to side, dipping down to almost touch the ground.

Bicycle Crunches

Anyone else have a love hate relationship with bicycle crunches? Lie on your back with both legs straight. With your hands behind your head and elbows out, crunch up and tuck one leg in while reaching towards that knee with the opposite elbow. Then switch arms and legs. 

Get the most out of your bicycle crunches by doing them slower and more controlled. Also, make sure to keep that straight leg lifted off the ground.

Cross-Body Mountain Climbers

These are fantastic for working your obliques. In a high plank position, tuck your knee in towards the opposite elbow, alternating legs each time. Bring your knee as close to the elbow as you can, and go as fast as you can to really push it.