The obliques are an often forgotten about part of the core infrastructure, but they are an essential piece of the puzzle. For many people coming up with a diverse range of exercises to train the obliques can be difficult, thats why we compiled a list of the 8 best exercises you can use to train your obliques. Let’s walk through them and take a look at a sample core work out you can try today!

How To Use Core Exercises For Obliques

1. Progressive Overload

Progressive overload is one of the most effective techniques to guarantee adaptation in strength and conditioning. It involves adding difficulty through volume and intensity over time. To apply this to core exercises you might consider adding time to static holds or adding more weight to weight bearing activities. It’s important to start with manageable loads if you plan on using progressive overload as you’ll need time to adapt and grow.

2. Bodyweight And Weight Bearing (For Oblique Muscles)

Using a variety of exercise styles to train the obliques can be very beneficial. The two main types of exercise you can use are bodyweight exercises and weight bearing exercises. The obliques also move through multiple movement patterns, meaning you can use exercises that require you to resist rotation or resist lateral flexion but you can also use dynamic rotation exercises like band half kneeling banded chop.

3. Technique Emphasis For Adaptation

All the exercises below require good movement quality to achieve the desired adaptation. Some exercises need to be performed slowly with control, others dynamically with speed. Make sure you’r completing the exercise as prescribed, if you change the positions of the exercise in order to add more weight, it will no longer create the desired adaptation.

The 8 Best Core Exercises For Obliques

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