How to Do Oblique V-Ups: Instructions, Benefits, and More

The oblique V-up is a beginner exercise that only requires the use of a mat. Since you'll be lying on your side with your body weight shifted, make sure the mat is thick enough to minimize any pressure the hip and glute may feel against the ground.

Here is a video to give you a visual for this exercise:

To increase difficulty

As you progress with this exercise, you can add a few counts to the hold at the top of the move. The longer you can keep the muscles under tension, the more they will benefit.

Of course, this extra time is only beneficial if you maintain the proper form. If you feel yourself falling back or you begin to push on your head for support, reduce the pause at the top of the movement.

Once you master the basic oblique V-up, you can increase the difficulty of the exercise by raising both legs off the ground. The double side jackknife follows all the same steps as the side jackknife except that you bring both your feet up while you raise your upper body.

The oblique V-up is a beginner to intermediate level move. When done correctly, it's a safe and effective exercise that targets your obliques and other core muscles.

That said, if you have a medical condition that prevents you from performing exercises on the floor or have any current or chronic injuries, you may want to talk with a trainer, physical therapist, or your doctor about the safety of this move.

The oblique V-up is a targeted exercise that focuses on the abdominal muscles. The primary muscles recruited include the external oblique, internal oblique, and rectus abdominis.

• External oblique. Part of your abdominal muscles, the external obliques are located along the sides of your abdominal wall. Their primary function is to rotate the trunk to the opposite side. They also assist with flexing the trunk.
• Internal oblique. The internal oblique muscles, as the name implies, are closer to your midline than the external obliques. Their primary function is to rotate the trunk to the same side. They also assist with flexing the trunk.
• Rectus abdominis. While the oblique V-up primarily targets the obliques, it also relies on the rectus abdominis muscles to assist with the move. This set of muscles are also called your trunk flexors because they assist with bending forward and curling up.

Doing the same exercise over and over can be tiresome. The good news is there are a ton of ways to train your obliques and other core muscles. So, if you're looking to train the same muscles required in the oblique V-up, here are three to try:

1. Side plank dips

Here is a video for a visual of this exercise:

2. Side wall ball

You can see how this exercise is performed in this video:

3. Knee drives

Your obliques are part of the group of muscles that make up your core. While isolating one specific muscle group without recruiting others to assist or focusing on spot reducing isn't possible, choosing exercises that have a focus on this area is helpful.

The external and internal obliques are used to:

• twist
• rotate the trunk
• bend to the side
• support the rotation of the spine

In other words, you rely on these muscles to do many of your daily activities.

The oblique V-up is an excellent exercise to include in your overall abdominal routine. Strengthening your core will help with both sports and daily activities. It will also help keep you injury-free during exercise.

Set a goal to train these muscles at least three days a week during a core routine, or between sets during a strength training workout.