Bodyweight Lying Oblique V Up

Muscles worked

Setup

1. Lie on your side with your legs straight and stacked, angled roughly 30 degrees forward from your hips to create a stable base.
2. Extend your bottom arm straight out on the floor in front of you at a 45-degree angle for balance.
3. Place your top hand lightly behind your head or reach it toward your feet to prepare for the contraction.

How to do it

1. Exhale as you simultaneously lift your legs and your upper torso off the floor, pivoting on your bottom hip and glute.
2. Contract your obliques to bring your torso and legs together into a 'V' shape, reaching your top hand toward your shins.
3. Inhale as you slowly lower your legs and torso back to the floor with a controlled 2-second eccentric phase.
4. Complete the full set on one side before switching to the opposite side.

Form checklist

• Keep your legs squeezed together and knees straight throughout the entire rep.
• Avoid pushing off the floor with your bottom arm; use it only for light stabilization.
• Focus on bringing your ribcage toward your hip bone rather than just lifting your legs.
• Maintain a neutral neck and avoid pulling on your head with your top hand.

Pro tips

• Pause for a one-second peak contraction at the top of the movement to fully exhaust the oblique fibers.
• Visualize 'folding' your body at the waist to ensure the movement is driven by the core rather than momentum from the hip flexors.

Make it harder

• Hold a light dumbbell or medicine ball between your feet to increase the lever's resistance.
• Perform the movement with your bottom arm lifted off the floor to remove the balance assist and force the core to stabilize the entire body.

Frequently asked

What muscles does the bodyweight lying oblique v up work?

The bodyweight lying oblique v up primarily targets the abs and obliques, and also works the erector spinae and hip flexors as secondary muscles.

What equipment do you need for the bodyweight lying oblique v up?

The bodyweight lying oblique v up requires no equipment — just your body weight.

Is the bodyweight lying oblique v up good for beginners?

The bodyweight lying oblique v up is rated intermediate. Build a base with simpler variations first, then progress to it with light load and strict form.

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