Smart Workout Diary

Oblique Crunch

The oblique crunch is a bodyweight abdominal exercise performed by curling the torso sideways to target the oblique muscles along the sides of the waist. It builds trunk control and abdominal endurance, supporting rotational control and general core strength.

Demonstration

Oblique Crunch — demonstration 1
Oblique Crunch — demonstration 2

Instructions

  1. Lie on your side with your knees bent and stacked, keeping your hips and shoulders aligned.
  2. Place the lower arm comfortably on the floor and lightly touch the side of your head with the upper hand; do not pull on your neck.
  3. Exhale and curl your upper torso sideways, drawing your rib cage toward your hip while keeping the movement controlled.
  4. Pause briefly at the top, then inhale and lower slowly until your shoulder is close to the floor. Complete all repetitions on one side before switching sides.
Muscle Group
Obliques
Type
Strength
Mechanics
Isolation
Equipment
Body Only
Difficulty
Beginner

Technique tips

  1. Move from the waist: keep the motion small and deliberate rather than swinging the torso.
  2. Keep your hips stacked; rolling backward turns the movement into a different abdominal pattern.
  3. Use a pain-free range of motion and stop if you feel sharp discomfort in the back, ribs, or neck.
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