Cable Machine · Obliques
There are 3 cable machine exercises for the obliques here: all isolation exercises, all intermediate level. Good places to start: Oblique Cable Crunch and Standing Cable Lift. 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
On a cable machine, set the pulley height so the cable pulls in the line the muscle works, step far enough away to keep tension at the start of each rep, and don't let the stack crash between reps. Cable machines give you smooth, adjustable resistance from almost any angle, which makes them ideal for isolation work on the chest, arms, shoulders and core.
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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Intermediate isolation cable machine exercise for the obliques, also working the abs.
Intermediate isolation cable machine exercise for the obliques, also working the abs.
Intermediate isolation cable machine exercise for the obliques, also working the abs.
Free GymStreak calculators that go with obliques training.
Guides from the GymStreak blog on this topic.
GymStreak's AI personal trainer builds a workout plan from your goal, schedule and equipment, shows every exercise with an animated demo and logs your sets.
