Obliques

[Brandon Oto]

How do you folks feel about obliques, and the general topic of training them?

[Garrett Smith]

Heavy stuff overhead and gymnastic static hold training pretty much covers the obliques IMO.

I know that as my OL/PL numbers go up, my obliques sure aren't going to get any smaller.

Por que?

[Brandon Oto]

Oh... just bumped into this article at P&B touting oblique training. http://powerandbulk.com/phpBB2/viewt...=592585#592585

I tend to feel as you do, but there is certainly some sense to saying that we often specifically train the abs and back but generally not the sides.

[Mike ODonnell]

Obliques are important...as one will find out when they do standing one arm heavy DB presses, Bent Press or Windmills....the unilateral training will work them plenty. You could also do diagonal chops with a cable pulley.

[Garrett Smith]

After I get the front lever down, I'll probably start working on flags. That should cover it.

With nearly any lower back training I do these days, I prefer isometric or resisting motion type exercises, where the lumbar spine stays pretty still. I leave the exercises with more ROM for flexibility and mobility training.

[Grissim Connery]

escape side control a lot against big dudes.

[Patrick Donnelly]

I've grown fond of sideways exercises lately, though I really can't say why. They make for nice warm-ups, since they generally require a lot of shoulder and hip ROM in addition to spine stabilization. Bent pressing, TGU's, double get-ups, one-arm OHS, suitcase dead lifts, and windmills, all with a barbell, are fun. 360-degree hanging leg raises, windshield wipers and one-arm hanging leg raises are also good ones if you're more into the bodyweight stuff.

[Harry Munro]

Yeah I agree, methinks overhead stuff in general especially 1 arm overheads and heavy pulling do more than enough work. but I think it's good to throw in some 'oblique stuff' occasionally. Louie Simmons says side bends are the most important exercise.

Then again that is westside...

Ross Enamait says russian twists are his personal favourite rotation exercise, and he's a beast!

[Gant Grimes]

All good suggestions. I don't train them specifically. Between judo, overhead work, sledgehammer, lever work, and slosh pipe, they're good.

[Blair Lowe]

I'm pretty sure 360 degree Hanging leg lifts or body levers are harder than laying down windshield wipers or russian twists. The latter are decent if you are trying for higher reps because...of some reason I cannot fathom.