Knee Raise - Decline Oblique Focused

Recommendations: 1-3 Sets, 15-20 Reps

Beginner Obliques Abdominals Strength Decline Bench Gym Home

Purpose: Oblique crunch exercises strengthen the side abdominal muscles.

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

Lie on a decline bench with your lower back pressed against the bench and your head near the higher end of the bench and your hands holding the restraining bar. This is the starting position. Slowly raise your left leg and pull your knee into your chest twisting it to your right side. Exhale during this movement. Hold this position for 2-3 seconds. Your glutes will come off the bench. Slowly return to the starting position. Inhale during this movement. Lie on a decline bench with your lower back pressed against the bench and your head near the higher end of the bench and your hands holding the restraining bar. This is the starting position. Slowly raise your right leg and pull your knee into your chest twisting it to your left side. Exhale during this movement. Hold this position for 2-3 seconds. Your glutes will come off the bench. Slowly return to the starting position. Inhale during this movement.


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 a decline bench with your hands holding the restraining bar, head at higher end.

knee-raise-decline-oblique-focused-step-0

Lie on a decline bench with your lower back pressed against the bench and your head near the higher end of the bench and your hands holding the restraining bar. This is the starting position.

Step 2

Pull your left knee up and to your right side. Pause.

knee-raise-decline-oblique-focused-step-1

Slowly raise your left leg and pull your knee into your chest twisting it to your right side. Exhale during this movement. Hold this position for 2-3 seconds. Your glutes will come off the bench.

Step 3

Return to the starting position.

knee-raise-decline-oblique-focused-step-2

Slowly return to the starting position with your lower back pressed against the bench and your head near the higher end of the bench and your hands holding the restraining bar. Inhale during this movement.

Step 4

Pull your right knee up and to your left side. Pause.

knee-raise-decline-oblique-focused-step-3

Slowly raise your right leg and pull your knee into your chest twisting them to your left side. Exhale during this movement. Hold this position for 2-3 seconds. Your glutes will come off the bench.

Step 5

Return to the starting position

knee-raise-decline-oblique-focused-step-4

Slowly return to the starting position with your lower back pressed against the bench and your head near the higher end of the bench and your hands holding the restraining bar. Inhale during this movement.