Let’s Talk About It: What Are Obliques?
By [solidcore]
At [solidcore], we talk about your core a lot. No surprise – it’s literally in our name. But there’s a specific part of your core that deserves a little extra attention: your obliques.
They’re so important, we hit them in almost every [solidcore] class.
Whether you’re new to fitness or deep into your [solidcore] journey, understanding what obliques are – and how to train them effectively – can help you build a stronger, more defined body. So let’s break it down.
What are the oblique muscles?
Your obliques are the muscles located on the sides of your abdomen. They’re often referred to as your “side abs,” but they do so much more than just support a sculpted midsection.
There are two main sets of oblique muscles:
External obliques – These are the outermost muscles that run diagonally downward from your ribs to your pelvis.
Internal obliques – These lie underneath the external obliques and run diagonally in the opposite direction.
Together, these muscles help you:
Rotate your torso (like during twists and turns)
Bend sideways (like in side crunches)
Stabilize your spine and pelvis
Support proper posture and breathing
In [solidcore], your obliques get activated during everything from twisted plank extensions to elevated oblique v-ups – and trust us, you’ll know it when you feel it.
Why you should care about obliques
Obliques Improve Rotation, Balance, and Control
Strong obliques are essential to your body's overall strength and health. But strong obliques are also essential to your body’s overall strength and health. In short, they power your rotation, balance, and control. They’re used in nearly every twisting, turning, and side-bending motion – like reaching, running, or even unloading groceries from the trunk.
Strong Obliques Prevent Back Pain and Injury
Why is this important? Strong obliques help stabilize your spine and reduce strain on your lower back. And they’re essential for “core symmetry” – building balance and alignment across your core, preventing muscle imbalances and injury.
Obliques Create Core Symmetry and Alignment
Strong obliques act like a built-in support system, helping to maintain proper alignment and distribute force evenly through your torso. Without strong obliques, your body compensates by overusing other muscles – often the lower back – which can lead to strain, tightness, and long-term injury.
Our attention to obliques is another way [solidcore] is different from your typical workout.
How are obliques different from your core?
Your obliques are part of your core, but they’re just one part. The core is a broader group of muscles that includes:
Rectus abdominis (your “six-pack” muscle)
Obliques (internal and external)
Transverse abdominis (the deepest layer of abdominal muscle)
Pelvic floor, diaphragm, and spinal stabilizers
We know – we’re getting into the nitty gritty here. But the important takeaway is that most people think of the “core” as your six-pack muscles, when it’s so much more than that. And to get a defined, strong core, you’ll have to focus on strengthening all the different parts of the core.
Fun fact: Every oblique is a core muscle, but not every core muscle is an oblique.
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How [solidcore] targets your obliques
Because [solidcore] is built on slow and controlled resistance training, it’s one of the most effective workouts for targeting deep core muscles – especially the obliques.
[solidcore] classes are great for oblique-focused movements that:
Involve rotation, side bending, and lateral flexion
Require core stabilization against lateral resistance
Force you to isolate one side of the body at a time
Here are some [solidcore] signature exercises that target obliques:
Twisted plank extension
Oblique crunch
Elevated oblique v-up
Elevated oblique crunch
What’s the difference between an elevated v-up and an elevated oblique crunch?
These exercises look pretty similar to each other, on first glance, and we get a lot of questions about why they’re different. Both exercises take place in a twisted position, and both target the oblique muscles.
But these two exercises serve different purposes, and offer different benefits. An elevated v-up is a full-body movement that requires you to lift both your upper and lower body simultaneously, creating a “V” shape. It engages not just your obliques, but also your hip flexors, glutes, and lower back.
In contrast, the elevated oblique crunch is a more controlled, isolated movement. Instead of lifting the entire body, you contract your side body in a shorter range of motion – typically bringing the upper body toward the legs or vice versa, depending on your position.
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How to build stronger obliques
If you're looking to build strong obliques and a more stable core, consistency is key.
Don’t rush the reps. This one’s so important, we’ll say it again: don’t rush the reps. Take your time and challenge yourself to move slower rep after rep. Some of the oblique exercises can be tricky. Pay close attention to your coach’s cues. Check out your form in the mirror briefly. Ask your coach for form checks before class.
Most importantly: Show up consistently. Commit to showing up and you'll see results.
And remember: Obliques aren't trained in isolation. They’re strengthened through total-body, functional movement, just like what we do every day at [solidcore].
Why we love obliques
Your obliques are some of the most underrated muscles. They’re especially important for performance, posture, and injury prevention. And in every [solidcore] class, they’re working hard behind the scenes to stabilize, rotate, and support your every move. And that’s why we love them.
The next time you're shaking through a seated cable rotation, know this: you're not just building a better side plank – you’re building a stronger, more resilient body from the inside out.
Ready to feel your obliques in action? Find a [solidcore] Studio Near Me.