How to Do Oblique Crunches - On The Floor

Oblique Crunches - On The Floor — start position demonstration photo
Start
Oblique Crunches - On The Floor — end position demonstration photo
End

Start and end of one clean rep of Oblique Crunches - On The Floor.

Quick facts

Primary muscleCore
Secondary muscles—
EquipmentBodyweight
CategoryStrength

How to perform Oblique Crunches - On The Floor

  1. Start out by lying on your right side with your legs lying on top of each other. Make sure your knees are bent a little bit.
  2. Place your left hand behind your head.
  3. Once you are in this set position, begin by moving your left elbow up as you would perform a normal crunch except this time the main emphasis is on your obliques.
  4. Crunch as high as you can, hold the contraction for a second and then slowly drop back down into the starting position.
  5. Remember to breathe in during the eccentric (lowering) part of the exercise and to breathe out during the concentric (elevation) part of the exercise.

Muscles worked

  • Core (primary): braces the trunk and resists twisting to protect the spine.

Sets & reps by goal

GoalSets × repsLoadRest
Strength3–5 × 3–5Heavy (~85%+)2–3 min
Hypertrophy3–4 × 8–12Moderate (~65–75%)60–90 s
Endurance2–3 × 15–20Lighter (~50–60%)30–45 s

Bodyweight movement: once you own the top of a rep range, progress by slowing the tempo, pausing at the hardest point, or moving to a harder variation instead of adding load.

Form tips

  • Brace as if about to take a light punch and breathe shallowly — don't hold your breath for the whole set.
  • Own the largest range you can control with clean form before you chase extra reps.
  • Treat every rep the same — a repeatable setup and bar path is what lets you add weight safely over time.
  • Stop a rep or two short of failure on most sets to keep form clean and recover faster.

Common mistakes

  • Cranking with the hip flexors or neck instead of moving from the trunk.
  • Cutting the range short to squeeze out extra reps instead of owning each full one.
  • Chasing weight jumps before the current load feels solid on every rep.

Frequently asked questions

What muscles does Oblique Crunches - On The Floor work?

Oblique Crunches - On The Floor is a focused movement that primarily works the core.

What equipment do I need for Oblique Crunches - On The Floor?

None — Oblique Crunches - On The Floor is a bodyweight movement, so you only need your bodyweight and a little space.

How many sets and reps should I do for Oblique Crunches - On The Floor?

It depends on your goal: about 3–5 sets of 3–5 heavy reps for strength, 3–4 sets of 8–12 for muscle growth, or 2–3 sets of 15–20 for endurance. Bodyweight movement: once you own the top of a rep range, progress by slowing the tempo, pausing at the hardest point, or moving to a harder variation instead of adding load.

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