Achieving a slim waist and toned abs begins in the kitchen with the right diet. But if you’ve already nailed your nutrition and want to speed things up, we’ve got an exercise to help you shape your waistline—the jumping oblique twist. This workout can help flatten your stomach, firm up your abs and thighs, and even work on those tricky areas near your torso. The twisting motion engages your back muscles, including the spinal erectors, trapezius, and rhomboids.
You can do the jumping oblique twist using just your body weight or by adding weights for more intensity and better core shaping. As you advance, it’s good to modify the exercise to keep challenging your muscles. Start with lighter weights and more repetitions, and as you get stronger, increase the weight and decrease the repetitions to suit your fitness level.
A strong core is crucial as it provides stability and makes everyday activities and sports like running, cycling, or swimming more efficient. It also helps improve posture, allowing you to stand tall and reduce the risk of injuries. The obliques are key muscles located on the sides of your waist, crucial for twisting and side-bending movements, and are involved in nearly every core exercise. If you’re aiming for a well-defined stomach or a tinier waist, building up your obliques with this exercise is beneficial.
Often overlooked, the obliques are usually overshadowed by traditional ab exercises that focus more on the rectus abdominis, or the “six-pack” muscles. But the core consists of several muscle groups working together for movement and stability, including your abs, spinal muscles, obliques, and glutes.
The jumping oblique twist effectively engages your whole body without concentrating on just one area. Even simple movements like squats involve almost all your muscles, making them perfect for overall body toning and not just for achieving a six-pack. It’s important to remember that working the abs doesn’t mean endless crunches—compound exercises are great for targeting multiple muscle groups simultaneously.
To perform the jumping oblique twist:
1. Stand with your feet hip-width apart, knees slightly bent, and arms out to the sides in a ‘T’ shape with palms down. Keep your upper body stable.
2. Inhale as you jump your legs apart, with heels touching the floor. Rotate your torso, bringing your right elbow toward your left knee while keeping your back straight and head up.
3. Inhale as you return your torso to the center and lower your arms while raising your legs. Exhale and repeat the twist on the opposite side, alternating until you’ve done the desired repetitions.
4. For a variation, start with feet together, then jump them apart and twist quickly from side to side for better results.
Consistency in form is key for effective results. Always maintain control of your hips and lower back to keep tension on your abs throughout the exercise.
When it comes to core workouts, choose exercises that maximize efficiency by burning the most calories and building muscle. You can try drop sets in your core routine or focus on compound lifts like squats and deadlifts.
A strong core is valuable, so keep shaping your waist with the jumping oblique twist and maintain a healthy diet.
