Lose those Love Handles – Know About your OBLIQUE MUSCLES

Ever wonder what composes your abdomen and why there are several different exercises to workout and shape each portion? It is because your abdomen is made up of different big muscles and by doing different movements, you make different muscles work.

The external oblique muscle of the abdomen is the largest and outermost of the muscles of your abdomen’s sides. It is the muscle which runs diagonally from your sides to your groin. They are the muscles that you workout in order to make those love handles disappear.

Some people only do crunches for their abdomen in order to get those 6-pack abs, and they tend to forget the oblique muscles. Strong oblique muscles also provide support to your vertebral column, meaning including them in your workout regimen is not accessory, but important, for a better posture and a stronger torso.

So how do you hit the oblique muscles at exercise? Simple, since the obliques are located at your sides, your movement should also include twisting and bending to the right and left sides. Crunches or forward and backward movement of the waist works the obliques, but not to their full extent, so the side exercises can be very contributory.

Side bends are good for the obliques. If you do not have a dumbbell, you could use a 2-L water bottle or a bag with handles, as long as they are heavy enough as a dumbbell.

1. Standing, hold your weight (the dumbbell or water bottle) in your right hand and hold it at arm’s length down your waist, palm facing your thigh.
2. Place your opposite hand on top of your head, with your elbow bent and out to the side.
3. Slowly lower the weight down close to your knee level as possible, pause briefly, and return to the starting position slowly.
4. Do 8-10 reps.
5. Finish your set.
6. Repeat the sets with the opposite hand.

Diagonal Crunches are also good and you can insert them in your abdominal crunches routine. Instead of doing straight forward crunches, twist to the side or bring your chest to your right knee, then to your left knee. Remember, the diagonal movements hit the obliques.

Along with exercising your muscles should be your diet plan. Muscles won’t develop properly if your diet is poor in protein. Protein is the building block of your muscle. For other neat facts about the right diet for you, we recommend these fat burning foods.

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