Lying Oblique Scissors
Sculpt your obliques! Tone and tighten your core with this effective side-lying exercise. Feel the burn with every controlled repetition.
The Lying Oblique Scissors mainly works the core, with help from the lower back. No equipment needed: it uses just your bodyweight.
Lying Oblique Scissors Muscles Worked
Primary
Obliques; Abdominals (rectus abdominis)
Secondary
Hip Flexor (iliopsoas); Spinal Erectors (erector spinae)
Lying Oblique Scissors Variations and Alternatives
How to do the Lying Oblique Scissors
Lie down on one side, propping your head up with your lower arm or resting it on your extended arm for more neck support.
Stack your legs on top of each other, foot over foot.
Contract your obliques to raise your legs off the ground slightly. Keep your torso stable and your hips stacked.
Without bending the knees, perform a scissor motion with your legs by raising the upper leg while lowering the lower leg. This scissor motion should be slow and controlled.
Continue alternating the positions of your legs, ensuring that the oblique muscles are engaged and that movement is happening mainly at the hips, not the waist.
Perform the exercise for your desired number of repetitions before switching to the other side and repeating the motion.
Focus on keeping your core engaged throughout the entire set to prevent any rocking of the hips or using momentum instead of muscular effort.
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Lying Oblique Scissors FAQs
What muscles does the Lying Oblique Scissors work?
The Lying Oblique Scissors mainly works the core, with help from the lower back. The main muscles are the obliques and rectus abdominis.
What equipment do you need for the Lying Oblique Scissors?
None. The Lying Oblique Scissors is a bodyweight exercise, so you can do it anywhere.
What are some Lying Oblique Scissors variations and alternatives?
Similar exercises include the Oblique Jackknife, Corkscrew, Lying Abdominal Scissors Crunch and Lying Leg-Cross.
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