Abs
Oblique Crunch
The Oblique Crunch is a strength exercise with no equipment for your abs. Share of the load in the Zulta muscle model: obliques 56%, upper abs 16% and lower abs 10%.
How to do it
- Lie on your back with knees bent, then let both knees drop together to one side.
- Keep the shoulders flat and facing the ceiling, fingertips beside the head.
- Curl the shoulders up off the floor, lifting straight toward the ceiling.
- Pause at the top and feel the side of the waist work.
- Lower slowly, finish the set and drop the knees to the other side.
Tips
- Keep both knees stacked on the floor through the whole set.
- Lift the chest up, not toward the knees.
Common mistakes
- Pulling on the neck with the hands.
- Letting the knees lift off the floor.
- Rushing short, jerky reps.
Muscles worked by the Oblique Crunch
Share per muscle in the Zulta muscle model. The model spreads the load of one rep over 40 muscles, based on EMG and biomechanics research.
Bending or twisting the trunk to one side is lateral flexion led by the obliques, with rectus abdominis assisting and quadratus lumborum working from deep.
Oblique Crunch alternatives
Same equipment
Different equipment
Make it harder
Similar exercises
Frequently asked questions
What muscles does the Oblique Crunch work?
Mainly the obliques. The upper abs and lower abs assist.
Is the Oblique Crunch good for beginners?
Yes. The Oblique Crunch is rated beginner in the Zulta library: the technique is easy to learn with a light weight.
What is a good alternative to the Oblique Crunch?
For example the Cable Side Crunch, Machine Oblique Crunch and Dumbbell Side Bend. They train mostly the same muscles, some with different equipment.
How do you make the Oblique Crunch harder?
Add weight or reps, or move on to the Cable Side Crunch and Landmine Lateral Flexion.
Log your sets in Zulta
Zulta tracks your sets, weights and muscle load next to your running, riding or Hyrox training. The app opens soon.