Your oblique muscles are located along the sides of your torso. You have internal and external obliques, and both sets help give your waistline a streamlined appearance. If you've noticed the development of "love handles" or a "muffin top," exercising your obliques can help trim your waistline and tone all other abdominal muscles as well. Getting fast results is relatively easy if you perform focused oblique exercise in combination with daily overall aerobic exercise and a healthful diet.
Oblique Sit-ups
Oblique sit-ups focus on your internal and external oblique muscles, which extend from near the bottom of your ribcage to your hip area. You can get rid of excess bulge around the sides of your waist by engaging in twisting sit-ups that tighten this area of your torso. Start the exercise by lying on your back on the floor, knees bent. With your hands touching the back of your head, lift your head and shoulders off the floor, twisting so that your right elbow is aimed at your left knee. Lower and repeat the twisting move to the right, aiming your left elbow toward your right knee. Add challenge to the twist by lifting the opposite knee to the opposite elbow, or extending your legs upward while twisting and reaching. Try to do a minimum of several sets of 20 throughout your day.
Fast Side Punches
Side punching works the entire side of the body, including the obliques and the upper and lower back and the rectus abdominis. Engage 50 repetitions of the side-punching exercise five to six times a day and you'll notice a difference in your waistline in no time. Do the exercise by standing with your feet slightly wider than shoulder distance apart. Lift your hands and make fists just below your chin. Pull in and tighten your abdominal muscles for a solid foundation. Slightly bend your knees, and keeping your lower body and hips still, extend your right arm toward your left, as if you're punching the opposite corner of the room. Immediately switch and punch with your left hand toward your right. This move should be fast.
Broom Twists
Perform broom twists during TV commercials or while watching a movie, and within a week, you'll notice a difference. Do broom twists by holding a broomstick vertically in front of you or balanced on your shoulders, with a hand grasping each end. Slightly bend your knees, keep your lower body still, hips facing forward and twist from side to side. Tighten your abdominal muscles and buttocks while performing this exercise. Repeat 50 twists on each side.
Alternating Toe Touches
An old-fashioned yet very effective exercise to work the obliques and trim your waistline fast is to engage in reaching and bending exercises. Stand with your feet wide apart, arms extended at shoulder level to your sides. Tighten your abs and then bend down, twisting to the side as you touch the tips of the fingers of your right hand to your left foot. Lift yourself upright and then twist to the right, touching your fingers to your right toe. Repeat this exercise 50 times to each side.
Member Comments