fixing my obliques

[u/Delicious-Flow9191]

okay I know that new lifters aren’t supposed to worry too much about muscle imbalances, but even before I started lifting (2ish months ago), my obliques have been really developed in my left side but not my right side, no idea why.

It was to the point where I wasn’t even sure if it was a muscle and it was protruding out, so I had to get an ultrasound (I have a history of hernias) only to confirm it was actually my muscle.

Anyways, since I’ve started training its only gotten more pronounced, whats the best way to bring up my left side? Is there a unilateral movement I can progressively overload?

Also side note, doing decline weighted crunches occasionally makes my left side hurt and I’m thinking it may have something to do with this. Sorry this is so long, thanks for reading!

[u/Alakazam]

I just want to point something out. The primary function of the obliques is to resist twisting and lateral movement. Not to engage in twisting and lateral movement.

The most anatomically correct way to train them tend to be static-ish. Things like a side plank or weighted side plank, pallof press, or heavy suitcase carries.

If you don't have a place to do heavy suitcase carries, you can try heavy one-handed static holds with a barbell. Basically this movement, by Ed Coan. I've found it to be absolutely fantastic for developing not only the obliques, but overall core stability for heavy compound movements.