What Is an Oblique Cut?

To foodies, an oblique cut is a knife technique used when cutting food across on the diagonal. To fitness enthusiasts, the oblique cut is that ever elusive cut right down the sides of the abdomen toward the pelvis. Where you might consider six-pack abs as ripped, the term cut would be appropriate for this type of abdominal appearance.

Anatomy of the Obliques

The obliques are any of the thin flat muscles forming the middle and outer layers of the lateral walls of the abdomen. If you grab both sides of your abdomen, the portion some people refer to as love handles, these muscles are located beneath this surface on both sides of the torso. The outermost layer of muscles are known as the external obliques and directly underneath are the internal obliques.

Function of the Obliques

This group of muscles are your abdominal rotators. The internal and external obliques work in opposition of one another to twist and bend at the waist. For example, if you rotate to the right, the left external oblique and the right internal oblique work together to cause this action and the opposite is true for the left side of the body. When the abdominals are fully developed, the external obliques are the muscles that can be seen from the surface. The cut is the finger-like appearance that is achieved once you have built up the abdominal wall through diet and exercise.

Creating the Cut

Though the obliques play a major role in all abdominal exercises, they are often overlooked when trying to achieve six-pack abs. Because the abdominals are also a stabilizing force for the trunk, exercises that challenge that stability are great for developing the obliques. A great exercise includes the side lying crunch on a stability ball. On your left side, place one hip on the ball with your right leg crossed in front of the left leg on the ground. With hands behind your head, lift the torso to the ceiling without twisting. This can be done with the feet against the wall if you are having trouble balancing. You can also add a twisting crunch, where you alternate crunching toward the left and right side of the body, to your regular crunch routine.

Mastering the Cut

Abdominal-strengthening exercises are important for achieving the cut look, however, all that hard work is for nothing if the abs cannot be seen. Incorporate an intense cardio training program into your routine to shed unwanted flab from the top of your abs. As you slim down, the external obliques will become more visible. What most fitness experts know that many people do not realize, is that the most important factor in creating an oblique cut is the food that you put into your body. A healthy diet will be the determining factor in creating a lean physique.