Barbell · Obliques
There are 2 barbell exercises for the obliques here: all isolation exercises, all beginner level. Good places to start: Barbell Side Bend and Seated Barbell Twist. Each links to step-by-step instructions and form tips.
Written by the GymStreak coaching teamUpdated
01
There are two layers: the external obliques, whose fibres run down and in like hands in your pockets, and the internal obliques underneath, running the opposite way. Working together with the other core muscles, they rotate the torso, bend it sideways and brace the spine.
02
With a barbell, warm up with the empty bar, add weight in small steps and keep a log so you can beat last session's numbers. Use collars, and safety arms or a spotter for heavy squats and presses. The barbell lets you lift the most weight and add it in small steps, which makes it the classic tool for building strength with squats, presses, deadlifts and rows.
03
Pair one rotation exercise with one side-plank variation. Standing cable and woodchop patterns carry over well to sports that involve throwing, swinging or turning. Beginners can start with side planks and slow bodyweight twists before adding a cable, plate or ball.
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Free GymStreak calculators that go with obliques training.
Guides from the GymStreak blog on this topic.
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