Side Crunches

Side Oblique Crunch Basics

Primary muscles worked: Obliques

Synergist Muscles: Rectus Abdominus

Mechanics: Isolation

Equipment: Open Floor Space

How To Perform Side Oblique Crunches

• Lay on the floor so that one side of your body is on the floor and the other side is facing upward.
• One arm should be against the ground while your other hand should be placed behind your head.
• Now, crunch up, lifting your upper body off of the ground, so that your elbow moves closer to your lower body. Utilize your obliques to help move your body off of the ground.
• Once your body is two to three inches off of the ground, lower your body back to the starting position.
• Complete the desired number of repetitions on one side and repeat the exercise on the other side.

Side Oblique Crunch Tips

• Do not pull upward with your hand to create movement at the waist. You need to ensure that your obliques are causing your upper body to move, not your arm strength.

Side Oblique Crunch and Sports Application

The side crunch is a great isolation exercise for targeting the obliques. The obliques are important in rotational exercises and the side crunch can help improve strength and endurance in those muscles. This can lead to improved rotational strength and endurance. Strong obliques are also important for core stabilization as well.