These Pilates exercises can transform your obliques
What's the story
Pilates is a fantastic workout method that emphasizes core strength, flexibility, and mind-body awareness.
It works wonders on your obliques, which are crucial for trunk rotation and lateral flexion.
Strong obliques not only improve your posture but also give you that toned look you're after.
Try these Pilates exercises to sculpt your obliques.
Rotation exercise
Side plank with rotation
The side plank with rotation is a highly effective exercise for targeting the obliques.
Begin in a side plank position with your feet stacked and one forearm resting on the ground.
Rotate your torso toward the floor, threading your top arm underneath your body, then return to the starting position.
This exercise not only strengthens the obliques, but also improves balance and stability.
Core twist
Criss-cross exercise
The criss-cross is a traditional Pilates exercise that focuses on the upper and lower abdominals, as well as the obliques.
To do it, lie on your back with your hands behind your head, raise your legs into a tabletop position, and then alternate bringing your opposite elbow to your knee while extending your other leg out straight.
This exercise is so effective because the twisting motion really targets those obliques!
Lateral flexion
Mermaid stretch
The mermaid stretch is a fantastic exercise for toning and stretching your obliques.
To do it, sit on one hip with your legs bent to the side.
Put one hand on the ground next to you, and reach over with the other arm in an arc.
This exercise improves flexibility and strengthens lateral muscles, providing a complete oblique workout.
Alternating crunches
Bicycle crunches
Bicycle crunches rock both your abs and obliques! By simulating a cycling motion while lying on your back, you're fighting gravity with every twist and turn.
The key is to touch your elbow to the opposite knee on each side, making sure you're working your whole core with every rep.
And the best part? You don't need any fancy equipment - just your own determination!
Seated rotations
Russian twists
Russian twists target rotational strength in the core, specifically the waistline, which is an area many people want to tone for a more attractive appearance.
Sitting on the floor, you twist from side to side in a controlled manner.
You can hold a weight if you want, but it's not necessary when you are just starting out and/or your goal is to tone your obliques.