Don't forget to train your obliques!

Upgrade your love handles to sex magnets and build a stronger core with these five oblique exercises.

The number one fitness goal of both men and women is reshaping their midsection and building strong, toned abdominal muscles. And why not?  The coveted six-pack is the icing on the cake of a powerful and shapely physique. Everyone wants to look great at the beach, and a sturdy core will also increase your strength, improve your posture, and help prevent injuries. So this article covers all you need to know about oblique muscles, and the various oblique exercises you can do on your own.

There are countless abdominal exercises to choose from, but you definitely shouldn’t neglect the obliques. These are the muscles located on either side of your stomach, and getting them into peak condition will give you a streamlined, sculpted appearance that will draw stares at the pool and questions about your oblique exercise secrets.

OBLIQUE MUSCLES

The oblique muscles actually consist of two sets of muscles, the external and theinternal. The external obliques are larger and stretch across the side to the front of the abdomen. They work with the other muscles in your abdomen to pull the chest downwards.

The internal obliques are smaller and rest underneath their outer cousins. They support your diaphragm during during breathing. Together, the obliques are also responsible for torsional trunk movement, when you bring your shoulder down to one side of your hips.

OBLIQUE EXERCISES

1. SIDE BENDS

Pick up two dumbbells and hold them on either side of your body. Lean to the left, feeling a good stretch and letting the weight approach your knee. Contract the side of your abdomen and return to an upright posture. Now lean to the left.

When performing side bends, really focus on a strong contraction to lift the weight. Remember, the abdominals are lifting the dumbbell. Your arm is simply holding it. At first, you may not be able to feel the obliques, but with time and practice, your mind-muscle connection will improve.

2. SAXON SIDE BENDS

Arthur Saxon was a old time German strongman and circus performer. Some of his lifting records still stand today. Sometimes a return to old-school methods will reap valuable rewards.

To perform this advanced variation of a side bend, pick up two dumbbells and raise them overhead. You’ll want to go very light on this exercise. Push your ego to the side because these are a killer. Keeping the dumbbells overhead, lean to the left and right just as you did with the regular side bends. Twenty of these and your obliques will be begging for mercy.

3. RUSSIAN TWISTS

No, it’s not a Cold War era dance step. It’s a brutal abdominal oblique exercise that especially targets the obliques. Lay down and bend your knees like you’re going to do a conventional sit-up. Keeping your feet flat on the ground, raise your torso to 45 degrees, making sure to keep a neutral spine. Stick your arms out in front of you and clasp your hands. Now slowly move them down toward one side. Back up, and then toward the other.

The key with this exercise is constant movement and to perform slowly. Don’t pause until the set is complete, and don’t swing your arms. No momentum allowed. To increase difficulty, hold a medicine ball or weight plate in front of your body.

4. STANDING BARBELL TWISTS (FULL CONTACT TWISTS)

Another twisting movement, this one is a favorite of boxers and martial artists to develop punching power. Get an olympic barbell and position it so that one end rests firmly in the corner of two walls. Put some weight on the other side, and bend down and grip the bar on the outside of the weight plate, interlocking your fingers. Stand up with the bar and hold it in front of you at a 45 degree angle.

Make sure to keep your back and arms straight, and slowly lower the bar to one side. Contract those abs to bring the barbell back in front and then repeat to the
opposite side. Remember, your arms are just a lever here. Don’t jerk the weight up with your biceps and shoulders.

5. SUITCASE DEADLIFT

This oblique exercise will build muscle all over your body and also give you a killer grip. It will also blast your obliques and entire midsection. Grab a barbell, dumbbell, or kettlebell and stand to one side of it. Bend down, making sure to keep a flat back, and keep your chest high. Contract your entire core and stand up with the weight as if you were lifting a suitcase. Lower and repeat for reps on one side. Take a breather (you’ll need it) and repeat for the opposite side.

BREATHE YOUR WAY TO BETTER ABS

The Valsalva maneuver is named after a 17th century Italian physician. It consists of exhaling against a closed or partially closed airway. You’ve done it involuntarily when you sneeze and you’ve probably tried it by pinching your nose and clearing your ears while on a plane. You can use a variation of this method to help you in your quest to form a strong, defined midsection.

Take a deep breath, focusing on pushing the air into your abdomen. Your stomach should expand. Practice this seemingly easy step for a while. It’s surprising how many people suck their stomachs inward while inhaling and push it out while exhaling. This is backward breathing!

With the air deep in your abdomen, flex your core as hard as you can. Flex your glutes as well. Now try and flex the muscles deep inside your body. Yes, this includes your sphincter. But it also includes your internal obliques and deep abdominal muscles. In this fully flexed state, open your mouth ever so slightly and place your tongue behind your teeth, obstructing the passage of air. Now let out a hiss like a snake and slowly exhale.

Repeat this a few times and you’ll exercise your core in a whole new way.

KEEP YOUR MIND ON THOSE ABS

Throughout the day, make a conscious effort to flex your abs. Keep them tight. Don’t let your stomach fall over your belt.

This step is more important than most people realize, and it’s especially important for office workers. Sitting down for eight hours a day in a hunched over posture is not optimal for carving out a sleek midsection.

Take a break every hour, just for a minute, and stand up tall and stretch out. Maybe use this moment to work on your abdominal breathing.

Get started on your oblique training today. With these oblique exercises and tips, you’ll be excited the next time you’re invited to a pool party.