Your oblique muscles are the muscles on the sides of your tummy. They are responsible for allowing you to twist your torso from one side to the other. They also work in conjunction with your lower back muscles to help prevent injury. There are several exercises that can be performed at home or at the gym to strengthen and tighten your upper oblique muscles.
Seated Russian Twists
Seated russian twist exercises work your upper obliques, as well as your lower back. Grab a medicine ball and sit down on the floor. Sit upright with your legs in front of you, knees bent and feet raised off the floor. Rotate your shoulders from side to side, touching the medicine ball on the ground on each side. Repeat exercise for 30 seconds, relax and perform two more sets.
Bicycle Crunches
Bicycle crunches work your oblique muscles, as well as all of your major abdominal muscles. Lie down on the floor, bend your knees and clasp your hands behind your head. With your back firmly planted on the floor, rotate your legs in a circular motion as if riding a bicycle. Simultaneously raise your left elbow to your right knee, then right elbow to left knee and repeat. Do this exercise for 30 seconds, rest for 30 seconds and repeat two more sets.
Rotating Sit Ups
This exercise is done as if doing a classic sit-up, only you rotate from side to side each time you lift your upper body. Lie on the floor, plant your back firmly on the ground and anchor your feet sufficiently under a stable piece of furniture. You can also have someone hold your feet down. Lift your chest all the way to your knees while twisting to the right, then return to starting position. Repeat on your left side. Do three sets of 15 reps.
Standing Side Bends
This simple exercise is done in a standing position, and strengthens your upper oblique muscles. Place your feet shoulder width apart, hands resting on the sides of your thighs and lean your body to the right. Slide your right hand down to the side of your right calf, then pull up to starting position. Repeat on the left side. Do three sets of 15 reps per side.
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