How to Do the Standing Cable Oblique Crunch
The standing cable oblique crunch has you bend sideways against a high cable, so the obliques work against steady resistance. It's more controllable than side bends with dumbbells. It suits anyone who wants to load the sides of the core with adjustable weight.
Log every set of your Standing Cable Oblique Crunch in Superlift
Muscles worked
Primary
- Obliques
Secondary
- Abs
How to do the Standing Cable Oblique Crunch
- 1
Set a cable pulley high and attach a single handle.
- 2
Stand sideways to the stack and hold the handle with your near hand, arm bent near your shoulder.
- 3
Place your other hand on your hip.
- 4
Brace your core and crunch sideways away from the cable.
- 5
Squeeze your obliques at the end of the movement.
- 6
Return slowly to upright.
- 7
Finish all reps, then switch sides.
Form cues to remember
- Crunch straight sideways
- Keep hips still
- Control the return
- Think ribs toward hip
Common mistakes
Leaning forward or twisting
Stay square with your hips and shoulders facing forward.
Pulling with the arm
Keep your arm fixed and let your torso do the movement.
Going too heavy
Use a weight that lets you control the return.
Moving the hips
Plant your feet and keep your hips still.
Sets and reps
| Muscle growth | 3 sets of 10–15 reps per side, 60 seconds rest |
|---|---|
| Strength | 3 sets of 8–10 reps per side with a heavier load |
| Endurance | 2–3 sets of 15–20 reps per side |
Weighted sideways bending can irritate your lower back if you rush. Use a moderate load and control both directions.
Superlift for iPhone
Track your Standing Cable Oblique Crunch and watch it go up
Superlift shows what you lifted last time, times your rest, and charts your strength week by week, so you always know what to beat. Every exercise in this library is built in, with the same demos and tutorials.
Standing Cable Oblique Crunch FAQ
What muscles does the cable oblique crunch work?
It targets the obliques on the working side, with the abs assisting.
Cable oblique crunch vs. dumbbell side bend?
The cable gives constant tension from the start to the end, and it's easier to adjust the load. Dumbbells are simpler and need less equipment.
How heavy should I go on the standing cable oblique crunch?
Choose a weight you can control for 10–15 reps without twisting or leaning. Oblique work responds well to moderate loads.
