Primary
Core
Secondary
Obliques
Equipment
Cable
Difficulty
Beginner
Type
Rotation
See how Oblique Cable Crunch could fit a workout
The example below shows one possible placement. Your purchased plan is built from your assessment, and Ely checks every exercise before approving it.
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This page is not medical advice or a rehabilitation protocol. Ely's personal review applies to purchased workout plans and does not replace an in-person assessment by a licensed healthcare professional.
The oblique cable crunch adds rotation to the standard cable crunch, targeting both the rectus abdominis and obliques with resistance. You crunch down and rotate to bring your elbow toward the opposite knee. This weighted rotation builds oblique strength with progressive overload.
When to use it
Use for oblique development for optimal results.
Who it's for
All fitness levels looking to build strength and muscle definition.
Kneel at a cable station with a rope attachment behind your head. Crunch down and rotate, bringing your elbow toward the opposite knee. Feel the oblique on the rotating side contract. Return with control and alternate sides.
Also targets: Core
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Kneel at cable machine with rope.
Hold rope behind your head.
Crunch down and rotate to one side.
Touch elbow toward opposite knee.
Return to start for optimal results.
Alternate sides or do one side at a time.
Targets obliques with resistance.
Rotate as you crunch.
Feel the oblique contraction.
Control the movement.
Use oblique cable crunches when you want weighted oblique work with measurable progression. They pair well with standard cable crunches for complete abdominal coverage. Use moderate weight to maintain proper rotation mechanics.
Not rotating enough.
Rotational exercises like the Oblique Cable Crunch generate force through your midsection. This mistake reduces control and can shift work away from your Obliques. Move deliberately through the intended range.
Using arms to pull for optimal results.
Rotational exercises like the Oblique Cable Crunch generate force through your midsection. This mistake reduces control and can shift work away from your Obliques. Move deliberately through the intended range.
Going too heavy and compromising proper form.
Loading more weight than you can control on the Oblique Cable Crunch often creates compensations that shift work away from your Obliques. Reduce the load until each rep follows the intended path.
All fitness levels looking to build strength and muscle definition.
These ranges illustrate ways to organize training. They are not an individual prescription. Adjust them for the exercise, your experience, and the rest of your program.
Heavier loads can be useful for developing maximum strength. The range shown is an example, and the load must match your current technique and capacity.
Muscle growth can occur across different loads and repetition ranges. This example is not a uniquely effective zone; your overall program and effort also matter.
This is an example of a longer set. A repetition target alone does not establish joint safety or whether the exercise is appropriate for you.
Example: 3 sets of 12-15 reps per side. Rest 45s.
Background for resistance exercises: the 2026 ACSM position stand covers healthy adults, and a load-comparison review found similar muscle growth across loads in studies using sets taken to muscular failure. These findings do not validate every exercise-specific range shown here or require training to failure.
This is one example of how Oblique Cable Crunch could sit inside a complete workout. Your plan may use different movements after Ely checks your assessment.
Sample workout
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Frequently Asked Questions About the Oblique Cable Crunch
The Oblique Cable Crunch primarily targets the Obliques, making it an effective exercise for core development. Secondary muscles worked during the Oblique Cable Crunch include Rectus abdominis, providing additional training stimulus. Stabilizer muscles engaged include Spinal erectors.
Our library labels Oblique Cable Crunch as beginner. That category is not an individual assessment. Review the setup, movement instructions, and safety notes, and seek qualified guidance if you are unsure how to perform it.
The programming section shows examples for Oblique Cable Crunch. The appropriate amount depends on your current ability, the exercise, and your other training. The listed ranges are not an individual prescription or a guarantee of a particular outcome.
The main equipment listed for Oblique Cable Crunch is a cable. Check the instructions for any additional support, anchor, bench, rack, or clear space needed. The equipment label alone does not confirm that your home setup is suitable.
Good alternatives to the Oblique Cable Crunch include: Russian Twist, Bicycle Crunch. These exercises target similar muscle groups as the Oblique Cable Crunch and can be used as substitutes based on your equipment availability, gym setup, or training preferences.