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10 Best Oblique Movements for Defined Abs and a Strong Core

Take your core strength to the next level.

Learn the best oblique movements for getting a stronger core and chiselled abs.

Jeff from Athlean-X explains, “If you want to get shredded obliques, then you will want to start incorporating at least some of these 10 best exercises for obliques. Find out in this video, how to apply the science of ab and core training to your oblique muscles and start targeting them like never before. You may find that you will be doing a lot fewer repetitions in your workouts, but that your results will be much more significant.”

What do Obliques Do?

“It starts with understanding a bit about the anatomy of the obliques. You have both internal and external obliques that work in concert to produce rotation, and more importantly, control rotation (and in some cases prevent it all together). They also can produce side bending and flexion of the trunk depending on the movement being used to elicit their contraction.”

Best Oblique Movements

oblique movementsSource: Biology Net

Side Crunch

“This actually is still one of the simplest and best ways to train your obliques but you have to perform them as I’m showing you here. You can’t abbreviate the range of motion and in doing so, limit the activation of the muscle. Instead, rotate your body back towards the floor to get a greater stretch on the obliques and a better contraction as a result on every rep.”

Side Bridge

“The side bridge is going to train your obliques as a dynamic stabilizer. The key is to fire the bottom side to allow you to obtain a sturdy pillar-like stability to your torso from your head to your toes.”

Elbow to Knee Crunch

“Here you are getting the added benefit of the knee drive which will help to posteriorly rotate the pelvis and intensify the contraction of the obliques on every rep.”

Kneeling Cable Crunch

“You can do this either in the kneeling position or more athletically, on your feet. Either way, it’s a great way to challenge your obliques in a more functional way as you progress.”

Seated Broomstick Twist

“The seated broomstick twist is an old school ab exercise that is often done incorrectly. Too many times it’s done for high repetitions and with no are as to the amount of rotation being forced by the lumbar spine. It shouldn’t be this way. Instead, perform them as I’m showing you here and you will be amazed at how much more you feel them.”

Check out the video for how to perform them and to learn five more excellent obliques movements.

Best Oblique Movements – Video

Learn More

Add Nordic Curls and Reverse Hyperextensions into your training.

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