Core · Bodyweight
Alternate Oblique Crunch
How to do the alternate oblique crunch, the muscles it works, and the mistakes to avoid. Pulled straight from the Kovo app's exercise library.
- Equipment
- Bodyweight
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Logged as
- Reps
- Movement
- Rotation
- Mechanic
- Isolation
How to do it
Lie on your back with knees bent and hands behind your head. Curl your torso up and rotate so one elbow reaches toward the opposite knee, then lower and repeat to the other side, alternating each rep. Focus on twisting through your waist rather than pulling on your neck.
- 1The oblique on the working side contracting as you twist
- 2A short, controlled crunch through the side of your waist
- 3Your abs initiating the rotation, not your arms
Common mistakes
- Pulling your head forward with your hands
- Swinging through with momentum instead of control
- Flattening into a pure crunch with no rotation
Muscles worked
The alternate oblique crunch mainly works the obliques and upper abs, with the lower abs assisting.
- ObliquesPrimary
- Upper AbsPrimary
- Lower AbsSupport
- QuadsMinor
- Hip FlexorsMinor
Kovo programs the alternate oblique crunch for you and tracks it every session.
We build your whole program, drop the right lifts into each workout, and adjust your weights as you get stronger. Free on iOS and Android.
More abs & core exercises
- How to do the ab wheel rollout
- How to do the ankle tap plank
- How to do the ankle taps
- How to do the resistance band dead bugs
- How to do the resistance band pallof press
- How to do the rollout
Last reviewed June 2026.