What you'll gain
Stretches the obliques, which most core training never reaches.
Improves rotational range of motion for sports and lifts.
Decompresses the side body after long sitting or repeated bending.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- 1
Start standing with feet shoulder-width apart and your right arm reaching straight up overhead.
- 2
Bend your torso gently to the left, sliding your left hand down your thigh as your right arm arcs over.
- 3
Keep both hips facing forward — let the stretch travel through your obliques and the side of your waist.
- 4
Hold for 15 to 30 seconds, breathing slowly and lengthening on each exhale rather than forcing depth.
- 5
Return to upright with control, then switch sides and repeat with the left arm overhead.
- 6
Complete 2 to 3 rounds per side, increasing the lean gradually as the obliques warm up.
Common Mistakes
Letting the hips swing out as you lean — this kills the oblique stretch and shifts load to the lower back.
Twisting the torso forward or back instead of bending purely sideways, which dulls the side-body lengthening.
Forcing depth in the first few seconds rather than letting the breath ease you deeper over time.
Tensing the shoulder of the raised arm — the arm should reach long but stay relaxed at the trap.
About This Exercise
This variation adds a lateral twist or lean to a standard ab stretch, working the obliques alongside the front of the core. It's a useful piece of any mobility routine because most ab training only loads the rectus abdominis — the obliques rarely get stretched without intentional work. For B2B use, this clip slots cleanly into rotational sport warm-ups (golf, tennis apps), oblique-focused programs, and any cooldown flow where a coach wants to address the side body. It pairs naturally with rotational core exercises elsewhere in your library.
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Abdominals Stretch Variation Two
An abdominal stretch with a side-bend element that opens both the rectus abdominis and the obliques.
Specifications
Built for
- Rotational sport warm-ups in golf, tennis, or boxing apps
- Oblique mobility blocks in core-focused programs
- Cooldown flows after rotational or core training
- Side-body opener clips for yoga and mobility content
Muscles Worked
Details
License Includes
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