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Stability Ball Oblique Crunch

Beginner
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A rotational core exercise performed on a stability ball, targeting the obliques and rectus abdominis for improved core stability and rotational strength.

About Exercise

Equipment

Stability Ball, Body Weight

Difficulty

2/5 • Beginner

Primary Muscle Groups

Obliques, Abs

Secondary Muscles

Glutes, Hamstrings

Popularity Score

5

Goals

Stability
Hypertrophy
Endurance

Training Style

Functional Training

Setup Requirements

Requires Rack

No

Requires Bench

No

Requires Spotter

No

Space Needed

Small

Noise Level

Low

Muscle Breakdown

Obliques

10/10

External Obliques, Internal Obliques

Abs

8/10

Rectus Abdominis, Transverse Abdominis

Glutes

4/10

Glute Max

Hamstrings

3/10
Programming

Typical Rep Range

10-20 reps

Rest Between Sets

30-60 seconds • Use shorter rest periods for endurance goals.

How to Perform

Sit centered on a stability ball with your feet flat on the floor, shoulder-width apart. Position the ball so your hips and knees are bent at 90 degrees, ensuring a stable base.

  1. Cross your arms over your chest or place hands behind your head.
  2. Brace your core and slowly crunch, twisting your left elbow towards your right hip.
  3. Hold the peak contraction briefly, squeezing the side abdominals.
  4. Slowly return to the starting position without losing core tension.
  5. Alternate sides immediately, crunching the right elbow toward the left hip.
  6. Continue alternating sides for the desired number of repetitions.

Coaching Tips

Form Cues

  • Twist and squeeze
  • Keep hips stable
  • Control the descent
  • Engage the belly button

Breathing

Exhale forcefully as you crunch and twist (concentric phase) and inhale as you return to the center (eccentric phase).

Tempo

2-1-1

Range of Motion

Flex and rotate the torso until a strong contraction is felt in the obliques without allowing the lower body to shift on the ball.

Safety

Safety Notes

  • Maintain control of the stability ball throughout the movement to prevent instability.
  • Stop if you feel any sharp lower back pain.

Spotting

Not applicable; this is a bodyweight core stability exercise.

Common Mistakes

  • Rocking the stability ball excessively
  • Using hip flexors to initiate movement
  • Rushing the movement
  • Pulling on the neck with hands

When to Avoid

  • Acute lower back pain or disc injury
  • Severe vertigo or balance issues

Flexibility Needed

  • Adequate core stability

Build Up First

  • Basic static core bracing ability

Also known as

Stability Ball Side Crunch, Stability Ball Torso Twist

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