Frame Your Abs with Ripped Obliques - Muscle & Fitness (2024)

FAQs

Do obliques make your abs look better? ›

Ripped obliques frame the abs and complete the entire area. And, no, training obliques will not make them too big — it will make them more defined as long as your bodyfat is low. One of the best ways to build impressive notches along the sides of your midsection is to do standing cable oblique crunches (not pictured).

"If your hips sag down, or your body twists or rotates in one direction it can mean your obliques are not working together and are weak." Improper breathing, breath holding, and ribs flaring out are also signs of oblique weakness, adds Ladis.

Now, why should you work your obliques? Because women will swoon over a man with nice obliques. If you have very defined, cut obliques, you get the pleasure of having on of the most sought after body type in the world by men.

It's not the oblique muscles that are making your waist look “thick”. It's the body fat (love handles) laying over the top of them that does that!

Your abdominal muscles have many important functions, from holding organs in place to supporting your body during movement. There are five main muscles: pyramidalis, rectus abdominus, external obliques, internal obliques, and transversus abdominis.

The hallmark symptom of an oblique strain or tear is a sudden, sharp pain near the rib cage, Brown says. You may also experience: Stiffness, especially in the morning. Aching.

Typical recovery time

While some mild oblique strains can be resolved in just a few days, severe strains can require surgery with a recovery time of 3-4 months.

Normally, the obliques are visible only when you start getting rid of layers of body fat. But targeting these muscles directly with added resistance makes them bigger. Because the obliques are positioned mainly along the sides of your torso, the effect is to actually thicken your waist.

Is Walking good for your obliques? ›

“Actively contract your abdominal muscles by pulling your belly button towards your spine. This will help stabilize your torso and engage your abs throughout the walk,” she says. “Swing your arms naturally as you walk. This not only increases calorie burn but also engages your core muscles, including the obliques.”

The order of upper abs and obliques is interchangeable – you can train oblique exercises before upper ab moves if you want to focus more on that area. The most important thing is that you do lower abs first and train the core last (or on a completely different day) a majority of the time.

To get the full effect, make sure you use the proper form. You can also try variations. The side plank is one of the easiest ways to work the two layers of muscle along the sides of your core, known as your obliques.

While bodybuilders have strong obliques, focusing on strengthening exercises will not cause you to add muscle to the point point where you ruin your V-taper. In fact, building stronger obliques can be immensely beneficial to your training and overall health.

Russian Twist

Hold a weight-plate, medicine ball, kettlebell or heavy book between your hands. Keep a flat back and twist your torso to the left. The weight should twist with you. Stop twisting when you feel a stretch in your obliques and tap the weight to the ground.