How to Do Oblique Stretching

Stretching is an important part of your workout. It helps improve your posture and helps reduce post workout soreness. Your obliques are a major abdominal muscle group. There are several different ways to properly stretch your obliques. Using more than one of these options will ensure a thorough stretch of the entire muscle group.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Stand with your feet shoulder width apart. Place your hands on your hips and slowly bend over to one side. Bend until you feel a good stretch through your side. Repeat on the other side.
2. Cross one foot over the other. Your feet will be hip width apart, feet facing forward. Lower your trunk toward your legs, pulling your upper body in toward your legs. Twist until you feel the stretch through your obliques. The back of your leg and your lower back will also feel the stretch. Switch the position of your feet and repeat.
3. Place an exercise ball on the floor. Roll the side of your body onto the ball. Stabilize yourself using your legs. Lie down and lift your arm over your head to feel the stretch in your obliques. Switch sides and repeat.
4. Lie on your stomach and prop your upper body up onto your elbows and forearms. Keeping your pelvis and abdomen against the ground, lift your body until you feel a strong stretch through your abdominal muscles. Walk your arms out as far as you can to one side to feel the stretch in your obliques.

Tips & Warnings

• Move gently and slowly through your stretches. Breathe deeply and hold each stretch for at least 30 seconds.