Cables 101 – Oblique and Ab Exercises

Often overlooked and disregarded is the use of cables when working out your abs and oblique muscles. But using cables is a safe and effective way to add some resistance to your ab and oblique workout.

Use these exercises to help tighten and tone your core, abs, oblique muscles and those pesky love handles.

Wood chop:

Stand next to the cable machine with the tower arm in its upright position, and with your feet shoulder-width apart, grab the handle with both hands. Keeping your arms straight, pull the cable down and across your body while simultaneously rotating your torso in the same direction as you pivot on the ball of your back foot. Then, reverse the motion and return to the starting position in a slow and controlled manner.

Cable lift:

Stand next to the cable machine with the tower arm in its lowered position, and with your feet shoulder-width apart, grab the handle with both hands. Keeping your arms straight, pull the cable up and across your body while simultaneously rotating your torso in the same direction as you pivot on the ball of your back foot. Then, reverse the motion and return to the starting position in a slow and controlled manner.

Oblique twist:

Stand next to the cable machine with the tower arm in its middle position, and with your feet shoulder-width apart, grab the handle with both hands. Keeping your arms straight, pull the cable in front of you and across your body while simultaneously rotating your torso in the same direction as you pivot on the ball of your back foot. Then, reverse the motion and return to the starting position in a slow and controlled manner.

Cable Crunch w/Rope:

Holding the rope in each hand, kneel in almost upright position. Then, using your abdominal muscles, pull your body toward the ground as you hold the rope in the same position, making sure not to pull the rope with your arms. Pause, and then reverse the motion and return to the starting position in a slow and controlled manner.

Cable Russian Twist:

With the cable machine tower arm in its middle position, lie on your back on a stability ball with it positioned between your hips and shoulder blades. Holding the cable handle with both hands, and with your arms straight, rotate your torso away from the cable, and the reverse the motion and return to the starting position.

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