Cable Oblique Crunch

The cable oblique crunch is a variation of the basic version performed with a high pulley cable machine. It works your core muscles including the obliques thereby helping you to get rid of love handles. You may do the exercise during the latter part of your ab workout routine. However, if targeting the obliques is a priority, perform it at the beginning of your ab training.

How to do Cable Oblique Crunch

Start the exercise by attaching a D-handle to the pulley machine and stand sideways to the weight stack. Initiate the movement by grabbing the handle with an underhand grip, pulling it down so that the palm is aligned in a straight line with the head while the elbow is pointing straight down. Continue dragging the pulley handle down until your hand is between your nose and the shoulder. Keep the other hand on your hip.

Standing Oblique Cable Crunch Tips

• Precede or follow this exercise with workouts that engage your upper abdominal muscles, like crunches, and exercises that target your lower abdominal muscles, including the hanging knee
• Make sure that you start with slightly lighter weight so that you can focus on mastering the form. The weight, however, should be heavy enough to take your body back to the initial position.
• Keep your arm that is holding the D-handle fixed throughout the exercise.
• Keep the handle close or farther away from the body to make the exercise easier or harder respectively.

Alternative Exercises

• Barbell Side Bends
• Dumbbell Side Bends