Exercise guide
Leg Raise Oblique Crunch
- Intermediate
- Compound
- Rep-based
- Waist
This unilateral core exercise combines a lateral leg raise with a side crunch to intensely target the obliques, hip flexors, and abductors. It is highly effective for developing lateral trunk stability and defining the waistline.
Reviewed by the Crucible Fit team · Updated June 2026
Muscles worked
Setup
- Lie on your side on a mat with your legs stacked and perfectly straight.
- Place your bottom arm flat on the floor in front of you for balance, and place your top hand lightly behind your head.
- Engage your core to create a straight line from head to heels, slightly angling your legs forward to help maintain balance.
How to do it
- Exhale as you simultaneously lift your top leg and crunch your upper torso sideways, bringing your elbow toward your hip.
- Squeeze your obliques hard at the peak of the movement, ensuring your ribcage moves toward your pelvis.
- Inhale as you slowly lower your leg and torso back to the starting position with a 2-second eccentric tempo.
- Perform all repetitions on one side before switching to the other side.
Form checklist
- Avoid pulling on your neck with your hand; use your obliques to lift your chest.
- Keep your top leg straight and toes pointed to maximize hip and quad engagement.
- Ensure you are moving laterally (sideways) rather than rolling onto your back.
- Maintain constant tension by not letting your feet or shoulders fully rest on the floor between reps.
Pro tips
- Visualize 'closing the gap' between your lower ribs and your hip bone to maximize oblique fiber recruitment.
- Press your bottom palm lightly into the floor to stabilize your torso, but don't use it to push yourself up.
Make it harder
- Lift both legs simultaneously while crunching to significantly increase the weight load on the lateral core.
- Add a pause at the top of each rep for 2-3 seconds to eliminate momentum and increase time under tension.
Frequently asked
- What muscles does the leg raise oblique crunch work?
- The leg raise oblique crunch primarily targets the abs and obliques, and also works the erector spinae as secondary muscles.
- What equipment do you need for the leg raise oblique crunch?
- The leg raise oblique crunch requires no equipment — just your body weight.
- Is the leg raise oblique crunch good for beginners?
- The leg raise oblique crunch is rated intermediate. Build a base with simpler variations first, then progress to it with light load and strict form.