Obliques
Rotation, anti-rotation and side-bending work.
Front
Back- Obliques
Exercises that train the Obliques
- 45 Degree Bicycle Twisting CrunchPrimary · Bodyweight
- 45 Degrees Side BendPrimary · Bodyweight
- Air Twisting CrunchPrimary · Bodyweight
- Alternate Heel TouchersPrimary · Bodyweight
- Band Seated TwistPrimary · Resistance band
- Band Side BendPrimary · Resistance band
- Band TwistPrimary · Resistance band
- Barbell Standing TwistPrimary · Barbell
- Bicycle CrunchPrimary · Bodyweight
- Bodyweight WindmillPrimary · Bodyweight
- Cable Half Kneeling Pallof PressPrimary · Cable
- Cable Horizontal Pallof PressPrimary · Cable
- Cable Judo FlipPrimary · Cable
- Cable Russian Twists (on Stability Ball)Primary · Cable
- Cable Side BendPrimary · Cable
- Cable Side CrunchPrimary · Cable
- Cable TwistPrimary · Cable
- Cable Twist (Version 2)Primary · Cable
- Dumbbell Russian TwistPrimary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbell Side BendPrimary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbell Side BridgePrimary · Dumbbell
- Elbow to Knee Sit-UpPrimary · Bodyweight
- Kettlebell Double WindmillPrimary · Kettlebell
- Kettlebell Figure 8Primary · Kettlebell
- Kettlebell WindmillPrimary · Kettlebell
- Landmine 180Primary · Barbell
- Lever Seated TwistPrimary · Machine
- Oblique Crunch (Version 2)Primary · Bodyweight
- Russian TwistPrimary · Bodyweight
- Seated Twist (Straight Arm)Primary · Bodyweight
- Side Bridge Hip AbductionPrimary · Bodyweight
- Side Lying Hip Adduction (Left)Primary · Bodyweight
- Standing Ab TwistPrimary · Bodyweight
- Standing Air BikePrimary · Bodyweight
- Standing Side Bend (Bent Arm)Primary · Bodyweight
- Twisting CrunchPrimary · Bodyweight
- Weighted Plate 45 Degrees Side BendPrimary · Bodyweight
- Weighted Russian TwistPrimary · Bodyweight
- 3 4 Sit-UpSecondary · Bodyweight
- Alternate Lying Floor Leg RaiseSecondary · Bodyweight
- Band Jack Knife Sit-UpSecondary · Resistance band
- Band Kneeling CrunchSecondary · Resistance band
- Band Kneeling One Arm PulldownSecondary · Resistance band
- Band One Arm Twisting Seated RowSecondary · Resistance band
- Band Standing CrunchSecondary · Resistance band
- Barbell Sitted Alternate Leg RaiseSecondary · Barbell
- Bent Knee Lying TwistSecondary · Bodyweight
- Bottoms UpSecondary · Bodyweight
- Cable Hanging Leg RaiseSecondary · Cable
- Cable Kneeling CrunchSecondary · Cable
- Cable One Arm Lat PulldownSecondary · Cable
- Cable One Arm Twisting Seated RowSecondary · Cable
- Cable Reverse CrunchSecondary · Cable
- Cable Seated CrunchSecondary · Cable
- Cable Standing CrunchSecondary · Cable
- Cable Standing Crunch (with Rope Attachment)Secondary · Cable
- Cable Twisting Overhead PressSecondary · Cable
- Captains Chair Straight Leg RaiseSecondary · Bodyweight
- Commando Pull-UpSecondary · Bodyweight
- Crunch (Arms Straight)Secondary · Bodyweight
- Crunch (on Bench)Secondary · Bodyweight
- Crunch (on Stability Ball)Secondary · Bodyweight
- Crunch FloorSecondary · Bodyweight
- Crunch with Medicine BallSecondary · Bodyweight
- Curl UpSecondary · Bodyweight
- Dead Bug with Stability BallSecondary · Bodyweight
- Decline Bent Leg Reverse CrunchSecondary · Bodyweight
- Decline CrunchSecondary · Bodyweight
- Dumbbell Sit-UpSecondary · Dumbbell
- Dumbbell V UpSecondary · Dumbbell
- Elbow to Knee Side Plank CrunchSecondary · Bodyweight
- Elbow Up and Down Dynamic PlankSecondary · Bodyweight
- Flexion Leg Sit-Up (Straight Arm)Secondary · Bodyweight
- Frog CrunchSecondary · Bodyweight
- Front PlankSecondary · Bodyweight
- Front Plank with Arm and Leg LiftSecondary · Bodyweight
- Front Plank with Leg LiftSecondary · Bodyweight
- Gorilla ChinSecondary · Bodyweight
- Groin CrunchSecondary · Bodyweight
- Half Squat Side ReachSecondary · Bodyweight
- Hanging Leg Hip RaiseSecondary · Bodyweight
- Hanging Oblique Knee RaiseSecondary · Bodyweight
- Hanging PikeSecondary · Bodyweight
- Hanging Straight Leg Hip RaiseSecondary · Bodyweight
- Hanging Straight Twisting Leg Hip RaiseSecondary · Bodyweight
- Hip Lift Low Back Off FloorSecondary · Bodyweight
- Hip Raise (Bent Knee)Secondary · Bodyweight
- Hollow HoldSecondary · Bodyweight
- Incline Leg Hip Raise (Leg Straight)Secondary · Bodyweight
- Janda Sit-UpSecondary · Bodyweight
- Kettlebell Bent PressSecondary · Kettlebell
- Kettlebell Lunge Pass ThroughSecondary · Kettlebell
- Kettlebell Sit-UpSecondary · Kettlebell
- Knee Touch CrunchSecondary · Bodyweight
- Kneeling PlankSecondary · Bodyweight
- Leg Front KickSecondary · Bodyweight
- Lever Seated CrunchSecondary · Machine
- Lever Seated Crunch (Chest Pad)Secondary · Machine
- Long Arm CrunchSecondary · Bodyweight
- Lying Ab PressSecondary · Bodyweight
- Lying Crunch (Straight Legs)Secondary · Bodyweight
- Lying Leg Hip RaiseSecondary · Bodyweight
- Lying Scissors CrossSecondary · Bodyweight
- Lying Single Leg RaiseSecondary · Bodyweight
- Lying Toe TapSecondary · Bodyweight
- Negative Dragon FlagSecondary · Bodyweight
- Otis UpSecondary · Bodyweight
- Plank JackSecondary · Bodyweight
- Potty SquatSecondary · Bodyweight
- Pull in (on Stability Ball)Secondary · Bodyweight
- Quarter Sit-UpSecondary · Bodyweight
- Reverse CrunchSecondary · Bodyweight
- Scissors (Advanced)Secondary · Bodyweight
- Seated in Out Leg Raise on FloorSecondary · Bodyweight
- Seated Leg RaiseSecondary · Bodyweight
- Shoulder TapSecondary · Bodyweight
- Side Plank PullSecondary · Bodyweight
- Spell CasterSecondary · Dumbbell
- Spider PlankSecondary · Bodyweight
- Stability Ball Rollout on KneesSecondary · Bodyweight
- Starfish Crunch (Beginner)Secondary · Bodyweight
- Straight Leg Sit-UpSecondary · Bodyweight
- Twisted Leg RaiseSecondary · Bodyweight
- V UpSecondary · Bodyweight
- V Up Down (with Stability Ball)Secondary · Bodyweight
- V Up with ClapSecondary · Bodyweight
- Weighted Captains Chair Leg RaiseSecondary · Bodyweight
- Weighted CrunchSecondary · Bodyweight
- Weighted Dumbbell Crunch (Hands Overhead)Secondary · Dumbbell
- Weighted Dumbbell Crunch (Hands Overhead) (Version 2)Secondary · Dumbbell
- Weighted Hanging Leg Hip RaiseSecondary · Bodyweight
- Weighted Plate Crunch (Hands Overhead)Secondary · Bodyweight
- Weighted Plate Crunch (Hands Overhead) (Version 2)Secondary · Bodyweight
- Kneeling Back Rotation StretchPrimary · Bodyweight
- Middle Back StretchPrimary · Bodyweight
- Roll Peroneal Side Lying on FloorPrimary · Bodyweight
- Standing Abs Rotation StretchPrimary · Bodyweight
- Backward Abdominal StretchSecondary · Bodyweight
- Crossover Kneeling Hip Flexor StretchSecondary · Bodyweight
- Iron Cross StretchSecondary · Bodyweight
- Lying (Prone) Abdominal StretchSecondary · Bodyweight
- Prone Cobra Hands InterlockedSecondary · Bodyweight
- Prone Cobra Palms Under ThighsSecondary · Bodyweight
- Single Leg Stretch (Bent Knee)Secondary · Bodyweight
- Single Straight Leg StretchSecondary · Bodyweight
- Spinal Stretch (on Stability Ball)Secondary · Bodyweight
- Spine Stretch ForwardSecondary · Bodyweight
- Standing Back Rotation StretchSecondary · Bodyweight
- Alternate PunchingPrimary · Bodyweight
- Bicycle Recline WalkPrimary · Machine
- Diagonal PunchPrimary · Bodyweight
- Punch Step ForwardPrimary · Bodyweight
- Riding Outdoor BicyclePrimary · Bodyweight
- Bridge Mountain Climber (Cross Body)Secondary · Bodyweight
- Front Leg Lift Under Knee TapSecondary · Bodyweight
- Shoulder Tap Push-UpSecondary · Bodyweight
How to train it
Train the Obliques with 2–4 of the movements above. Cover different angles, use 2–4 sets each in a 6–15 rep range, and progress the load over time. Pair primary lifts with assisting movements for complete development.
Open the muscle planner →Obliques FAQ
What are the best exercises for the Obliques?
45 Degree Bicycle Twisting Crunch, 45 Degrees Side Bend, Air Twisting Crunch and Alternate Heel Touchers are among the most effective obliques exercises. Pair a heavy compound movement with one or two assistance exercises to train the obliques through its full range.
How often should you train the Obliques?
Training the obliques two to three times per week, with roughly 10–20 hard sets in total, works well for most lifters. Leave about 48 hours between demanding obliques sessions so the muscle can recover and grow.

