Sitting Side Crunch

Sit with your upper body slightly leaned back and one hand lightly supporting you on the floor. Bend your knees in front and place the other hand behind your head to prepare to crunch your side.

Lift your knees to the side while bringing your top elbow toward them. Tighten your obliques so your torso and legs fold together instead of moving only your arm.

Slowly extend your legs and torso back to the start. Keep your side engaged and control the speed without fully relaxing.

Focus on your obliques tightening briefly, not on touching your elbow and knee. Sit a little taller if you cannot feel your side.

Relying on the supporting arm or kicking your legs with momentum reduces oblique engagement. Learn to fold from your side even with a shorter range.

Exhale as your knee and elbow come together and inhale as you extend. Add oblique tension with the exhale to feel the contraction more clearly.

Use the supporting hand lightly for balance so your obliques work more. Match reps on both sides.