Standing Side Crunch
Tone your obliques with Standing Side Crunches! A simple bodyweight exercise you can do anywhere. Feel the burn!
The Standing Side Crunch mainly works the core, with help from the glutes & hips and quads. No equipment needed: it uses just your bodyweight.
Standing Side Crunch Muscles Worked
Primary
Obliques; Abdominals (rectus abdominis)
Secondary
Long Thigh (sartorius); Quads (quadriceps femoris)
Standing Side Crunch Variations and Alternatives
How to do the Standing Side Crunch
Start by standing upright with your feet shoulder-width apart.
Place your hands behind your head with elbows flared out to the sides.
Shift your weight onto your left foot.
Breathe out and simultaneously lift your right knee towards your elbow while crunching your torso to the right, aiming to bring your elbow and knee towards each other.
Squeeze the side of your abs as you perform the crunch.
Inhale as you slowly lower your raised knee and return your torso to the upright position.
Repeat the desired number of reps on one side before switching to the opposite knee and elbow.
Ensure to maintain balance and a straight posture throughout the movement.
For increased difficulty, you can add a pause at the peak contraction or increase the number of repetitions.
Be sure to keep the movement controlled and avoid pulling on your neck with your hands. Keep your core engaged throughout the exercise for stability and to enhance the workout's effectiveness.
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Standing Side Crunch FAQs
What muscles does the Standing Side Crunch work?
The Standing Side Crunch mainly works the core, with help from the glutes & hips and quads. The main muscles are the obliques and rectus abdominis.
What equipment do you need for the Standing Side Crunch?
None. The Standing Side Crunch is a bodyweight exercise, so you can do it anywhere.
What are some Standing Side Crunch variations and alternatives?
Similar exercises include the Standing Elbow to Knee Crunch, Standing Cross Crunch, Elbow to Knee Crunch Side-Plank and Hip Crunch.
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