Crunch - Oblique Fitness Ball Side

Recommendations: 2-3 Sets, 10-15 Reps

★★★★☆

Abdominals Strength Fitness Ball Gym

Purpose: Crunch exercises strengthen the upper abdominal muscles.

Benefits: Crunch exercises will give you a well-defined mid-section.

Lie on an exercise ball with your left side (left obliques) pressed against the ball. Place your hands lightly against the sides of your head. Position your legs straight out, diagonally to the floor, with both feet on the floor. This is the starting position. Slowly raise your shoulders and upper back by contracting your abs (about 30 degrees), twisting to the right, trying to face forwards. Exhale during this movement. Hold this position for 2-3 seconds. Slowly return to the starting position. Inhale during this movement. Repeat for the recommended number of repetitions. Lie on an exercise ball with your right side (right obliques) pressed against the ball. Place your hands lightly against the sides of your head. Position your legs straight out, diagonally to the floor, with both feet on the floor. This is the starting position. Slowly raise your shoulders and upper back by contracting your abs (about 30 degrees), twisting to the left, trying to face forwards. Exhale during this movement. Hold this position for 2-3 seconds. Slowly return to the starting position. Inhale during this movement. Repeat for the recommended number of repetitions.

The abs can be divided into the abdominals themselves and the obliques. The obliques are the outer abs and are used in twisting movements. For the sake of exercising, the abdominals are sometimes divided into upper abs and lower abs (this is not a technical division but something for exercising). Both upper and lower abs are used in straight line ab exercises while the upper abs are also involved in twisting movements.