Oblique exercises

Bicycle Crunch

Also known as: Crunch vélo · Κοιλιακοί ποδήλατο · bicycle crunches · bicycles

Primary
Obliques
Equipment
Bodyweight
Level
Beginner
Type
Isolation
Suggested rest
45 s

How to do the Bicycle Crunch

  1. Lie on your back with your hands lightly behind your head and legs raised, knees bent.

  2. Bring your right elbow toward your left knee while straightening your right leg.

  3. Switch sides in a controlled motion, as if pedaling.

  4. Don't pull on your neck with your hands.

Sets and reps

GoalSetsRepsRest
Muscle growth2–410–1545 s
Muscular endurance2–315–2545 s

When you hit the top of the rep range on every set, add a rep or a harder variation next session.

Starting points from training research. Stop each set 1–3 reps short of failure.

Muscles worked

Primary

Obliques

Secondary

Abs

The obliques rotate and side-bend your trunk, and resist both. Side planks, Pallof presses, woodchops and carries cover every job.

Alternatives

Same muscles, similar movement: swap in one of these if the Bicycle Crunch doesn’t suit your gym or your joints.

Train smarter

More obliques

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Bodyweight oblique exercises