How to Do Reverse Twists for Obliques

One of the problem areas that concern both men and women are the pesky obliques. You can do reverse twists for your obliques if you want to make them stronger and turn fat into muscle.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Heavy chair or bench
• Exercise mat

Reverse Twists With Chair

1. Find a sturdy, heavy chair, bench or other piece of furniture with a leg that can be grasped and that will provide resistance during the exercise instead of sliding across the floor.
2. Position the chair behind your exercise mat with a leg in the center of the mat's width.
3. Lie down with your back on the mat. Turn your lower body towards one side of the mat and put one leg on top of the other. Bend your knees at a 90-degree angle.
4. Raise your arms above your head and interlock both hands with a grip around the chair leg.
5. Do the reverse twist by lifting your legs, still held together and bent at the knees, and pointing your feet at an angle away from your body. Remember to keep your shoulders on the floor.
6. Bring your legs back to rest on the floor by turning your hips and legs to point to the opposite bottom corner of the mat.
7. Do a reverse twist on this side of the body. Continue with as many repetitions of the exercise as you can manage.

Reverse Twists Without Chair

8. Lie flat on your back on the exercise mat. Extend your arms out in a straight line from your body. Turn your hands away from your arms in a 90-degree angle to better anchor your arms on the floor.
9. Lift your legs together above the floor so that they form a 90-degree angle to the body.
10. Lower your legs, keeping them tightly together, to the right at the halfway point between your original position and the floor.
11. Return your legs in a controlled motion back to the original leg position.
12. Lower your legs to the left to the halfway point. Return your legs to the original position. Do 10 more repetitions.

Tips & Warnings

• Use slow, controlled movements when performing this obliques exercise, otherwise your muscles won't be getting a workout.
• Eating healthy in conjunction with exercise can help you really tone your abdominal muscles.
• Remember to use warm up and cool down techniques in your workout.
• Focus on lifting with your oblique muscles instead of your neck to avoid neck strain.