Jackknife - Side

Recommendations: 2-3 Sets, 10-15 Reps

Intermediate Obliques Strength Body Only Gym Home

Purpose: This exercise strengthens the oblique abdominal muscles.

Benefits: This exercise will give you well-defined obliques.

Lie on your right side, keeping your left leg over your right one. Place your right hand in a comfortable spot and clasp your left hand beside your head. This is the starting position. Slowly bring your torso and left leg toward each other as you pull with your obliques. Squeeze your obliques. 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 your left side, keeping your right leg over your left one. Place your left hand in a comfortable spot and clasp your right hand beside your head. This is the starting position. Slowly bring your torso and right leg toward each other as you pull with your obliques. Squeeze your obliques. 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.

Step 1

Lie on your right side, legs straight out.

jackknife-side-step-0

Lie on your right side, keeping your left leg over your right one. Place your right hand in a comfortable spot and clasp your left hand beside your head. This is the starting position.

Step 2

Slowly raise your torso and left leg toward each other. Pause.

jackknife-side-step-1

Slowly bring your torso and left leg toward each other as you pull with your obliques. Squeeze your obliques. Hold this position for 2-3 seconds.

Step 3

Return to the starting position.

jackknife-side-step-2

Slowly return to the starting position. Inhale during this movement. Lie on your right side, keeping your left leg over your right one. Place your right hand in a comfortable spot and clasp your left hand beside your head. Repeat as required.

Step 4

Lie on your right side, legs straight out.

jackknife-side-step-3

Lie on your right side, keeping your left leg over your right one. Place your right hand in a comfortable spot and clasp your left hand beside your head. This is the starting position.

Step 5

Slowly raise your torso and left leg toward each other. Pause.

jackknife-side-step-4

Slowly bring your torso and right leg toward each other as you pull with your obliques. Squeeze your obliques. Hold this position for 2-3 seconds.

Step 6

Return to the starting position.

jackknife-side-step-5

Slowly return to the starting position. Inhale during this movement. Lie on your right side, keeping your left leg over your right one. Place your right hand in a comfortable spot and clasp your left hand beside your head. Repeat as required.