Ab Crunch Machine vs Oblique Crunches

Select a light resistance and sit down on the ab machine placing your feet under the pads provided and grabbing the top handles. Your arms should be bent at a 90 degree angle as you rest the triceps on the pads provided. This will be your starting position.

At the same time, begin to lift the legs up as you crunch your upper torso. Breathe out as you perform this movement. Tip: Be sure to use a slow and controlled motion. Concentrate on using your abs to move the weight while relaxing your legs and feet.

After a second pause, slowly return to the starting position as you breathe in.

Repeat the movement for the prescribed amount of repetitions.

Lie flat on the floor with your lower back pressed to the ground. For this exercise, you will need to put one hand beside your head and the other to the side against the floor.

Make sure your feet are elevated and resting on a flat surface.

Now lift the shoulder in which your hand is touching your head.

Simply elevate your shoulder and body upward until you touch your knee. For example, if you have your right hand besides your head, then you want to elevate your body upwards until your right elbow touches your left knee. The same variation can be applied doing the inverse and using your left elbow to touch your right knee.

After your knee touches your elbow, lower your body until you have reached the starting position.

Remember to breathe in during the eccentric (lowering) part of the exercise and to breathe out during the concentric (upward) part of the exercise.

Continue alternating in this manner until all of the recommended repetitions for each side have been completed.