Oblique Exercise: Oblique Crunches
on a Swiss Ball

To tone and define those sides AKA "love handles", you need to focus on toning and strengthening your oblique muscles (muscles at the sides of your abdomen). This move will help you get those muscles burning.

To perform this move:

• Sit on a Swiss ball with your feet flat on the floor.
  
• Walk your feet forward, while simultaneously rolling your body back onto the ball until your lower back is supported by the ball.
  
• Fold your arms and place each arm just behind each of your ears. Make sure you keep your elbows outwards and do not bring them forward.
  
• As you inhale slowly bring your right elbow towards your left knee and crunch.
  
• Exhale and return to the starting position.
  
• Inhale and this time, slowly bring your left elbow towards your right knee and crunch.
  
• Exhale and return to the starting position.
  
• Repeat this move 10-15 times on each side, and aim at completing 3 sets.

TIP: It is important to keep your elbows pointed outwards and upper arms parallel to the floor. This way you are forcing your oblique muscles to do the work and not get the momentum from your upper body pulling you upwards.

This move can also be performed on the floor, lying on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor.

The oblique crunch performed on a Swiss ball

Author: Dimi Ingle
Copyright: Remedium. This article may not be copied, in whole or in part, without the written consent of Remedium.