Spring is just weeks away!! That means no more hiding behind those big sweaters and coats. Pretty soon you'll see slim-fitting and belly-baring fashions everywhere you look! So many people believe that they have to aim for chiseled six or eight-pack abdominals. To achieve this ideal physique, a lot of people devote a big chunk of their workout time to crunches and basic abdominal exercises. Unfortunately, this type of blanket-approach to abs training isn't very effective.
You could have the most well defined abs on your block, but if you have a layer of fat covering them, all your hard work will be for nothing. That's why it's so important to eat right, and burn the belly fat so that your shining abs show through!
Also keep in mind, your abdominals are actually comprised of three major muscles: the rectus abdominis, the obliques, and the transverse abdominis. Each muscle has its own function and specific ways to target it. Both sets of obliques have the same two main functions: torso lateral flexion, which is bending the upper half of your body side to side, and torso rotation, which is twisting your upper body away from your torso. The obliques are used in any movement in which your torso bends laterally or twists.
Besides helping you get a sleek, defined look, oblique exercises play an important role in core strengthening and preventing lower back injuries. If you want to target your obliques, try exercises like:
Oblique Side Crunch:
Standing Oblique Side Crunch w/ weight:
*Note. You can use dumbbells for this exercise as well. Hold the dumbbell in one hand at your side. Let the dumbbell lower by torso lateral flexion, and then reverse the motion with a crunch to the other side.
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