About obliques
The obliques are the muscles on the sides of the abdomen. They rotate and side-bend the trunk, and they also work to stop it twisting or tipping when you carry a load or press with one arm.
Choosing between these exercises
Two kinds of work appear here: moving the trunk (Russian twists, bicycle crunches, cable wood chops) and resisting movement (the Pallof press and the side plank). Resisting is an easy place to start because the trunk stays still while the cable or your own weight pulls on it. The list also includes a thoracic rotation mobility drill.
At a glance
| Guides | 6 |
|---|---|
| Equipment | bodyweight moves (3), cables (2), mobility drills (1) |
| Levels | 3 beginner, 3 intermediate |
| Movement patterns | Core (2), Resist side bending (1), Resist rotation (1), General movement (1), Rotation (1) |
| Most common supporting muscles | glute med (2), hip flexors (2), abs (2), deep core (2) |
Where to start
These guides are rated beginner level: Cable Pallof press, Side plank and Thoracic rotation.
All 6 guides
Grouped by movement pattern. Each line shows the equipment, the level and the supporting muscles from that guide.
Core (2)
- Bicycle crunch — Bodyweight / calisthenics, intermediate; also works hip flexors
- Russian twist — Bodyweight / calisthenics, intermediate; also works hip flexors
Resist side bending (1)
- Side plank — Bodyweight / calisthenics, beginner; also works deep core and glute med
Resist rotation (1)
- Cable Pallof press — Cable, beginner; also works deep core, abs and glute med
General movement (1)
- Thoracic rotation — Mobility, beginner; also works lower back
Rotation (1)
- High-to-low cable wood chop — Cable, intermediate; also works abs, glutes and front deltoids
Common questions
How many oblique exercises does One Fitness Hub explain?
6 guides in the Workout Explorer train obliques as their main muscle, each with numbered steps, form cues and common mistakes. They cover bodyweight moves, cables and mobility drills.
Which oblique exercises are best for beginners?
3 of the 6 guides are rated beginner level, including Cable Pallof press, Side plank and Thoracic rotation. Read the steps and cues first, and start gently.
What equipment do I need for oblique exercises?
The guides use bodyweight moves, cables and mobility drills. 3 of them are bodyweight movements.
More exercise guides by muscle and equipment
Browse every guide in the Workout Explorer. Search all 178 guides, watch the demonstrations and compare two exercises side by side.
By muscle
- Chest exercises
- Front delt exercises
- Lat exercises
- Quad exercises
- Glute exercises
- Hamstring exercises
- Biceps exercises
- Triceps exercises
- Calf exercises
- Rear delt exercises
- Ab exercises
- Oblique exercises
By equipment
- Barbell exercises
- Dumbbell exercises
- Cable exercises
- Bodyweight exercises
- Gym machine exercises
- Cardio exercises
- Mobility exercises
Educational guidance, not an individual training prescription. Start with a manageable load, work within a comfortable range, and stop if a movement causes pain. Ask a qualified coach for help with an unfamiliar setup. Practice the technique before increasing load. Repetitions and working weight depend on your goals, experience, and individual needs.