7 muscle training exercises for the abdominal obliques! Introducing the most effective exercises using body weight & dumbbells!

When it comes to abdominal muscle training, we tend to train only the rectus abdominis muscles, known as the “six pack,” but if you also train the oblique abdominis muscles, which tighten the waist line, you will definitely look much better. In this issue, personal trainer Yasuzan Matsuura gives us a lecture on training that works the oblique abdominal muscles.

Supervision

Taizan Matsuura

In 2016, he began working as a trainer as a member of Beyond Gym’s start-up staff. Served as store manager of the Horie store in Osaka, Japan; in 2017, he reached the pinnacle in the Mr. Japan contest, after which he went independent. In October 2022, he founded Waffle Gym in Tachikawa, Tokyo. He is always ready to propose muscle training menus that meet the needs of customers.

What is the oblique abdominis muscle? What role do they play?

The oblique abdominis muscle is a muscle located on the side of the abdomen that is part of the abdominal muscle group together with the rectus abdominis and transversus abdominis muscles. It is composed of two muscles: the external oblique abdominis muscle, which is located superficially, and the internal oblique abdominis muscle, which is located deeply. Strengthening these oblique abdominal muscles helps to create a narrower waist and accentuate a six-pack. They also play a role in supporting the twisting movements of the body and stabilizing the torso, which improves performance in various sports such as golf and futsal.

What are the benefits of training the oblique abdominal muscles?

This section introduces the three main benefits of training the oblique abdominal muscles!

Benefits of training the oblique abdominis muscle (1) “Tightens the waistline! The obliques also have the added benefit of accentuating the rectus abdominis muscles.”

Since the oblique abdominis is a muscle attached to the side of the abdomen, the waistline becomes tighter when it is trained. Of course, it is essential to lose fat to create a clear line, but simply training the oblique abdominal muscles will make you look slimmer. In addition, training the oblique abdominoplasty muscles will give them a more defined line with the rectus abdominis (six-pack) muscles and accentuate the unevenness of the rectus abdominis muscles. If you want to achieve three-dimensional, good-looking abdominal muscles, you must train the oblique abdominoplasty muscles.

Oblique Abdominal Muscles: Advantage 2: “Strengthen your core and improve your athletic performance!

Not only the oblique abdominal muscles, but also other abdominal muscle groups can be trained to strengthen the core. In the case of the oblique abdominal muscles, they are particularly involved in “twisting” and “fixation of the torso,” and are utilized in most sports. Therefore, training them can be expected to improve athletic performance.

Benefits of Strengthening the Oblique Abdominal Muscle (3) “Supports defecation by returning the position of internal organs to normal! And it also improves posture.”

The oblique abdominal muscles support the internal organs from both sides and help with defecation. When the oblique abdominal muscles weaken, the internal organs sag, which in some cases makes it difficult to defecate smoothly, but strengthening the muscles prevents this negative effect. In addition, the flabby stomach and hunched back caused by drooping internal organs can be resolved at once, so the benefits of training the oblique abdominal muscles are extremely great.