ActiveWorkoutsThis resistance band exercise has transformed my obliques – you need to try itI don’t know why I wasn’t doing these beforeWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
ActiveWorkoutsThis resistance band exercise has transformed my obliques – you need to try itI don’t know why I wasn’t doing these beforeWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
I don’t know why I wasn’t doing these before
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Although I personally favour doing exercises that develop deep core muscles overbuilding a six-pack, I won’t deny I like to work both. One area I love focusing on in particular is my obliques. Why? Because not only do these contribute towards a toned looking torso (and often get forgotten about) but they also support the rotation of the spine. Plus, I’ve always struggled to develop my ‘ab muscles’ and always found my obliques an easier target. And, recently, I’ve been doing an exercise that not only leaves them feeling and looking stronger, but aching like never before — and if you haven’t already, then you need to try it.
Don’t worry, the exercise I speak of isn’t a bicycle crunch or a plank, but in fact a wood chop. “The wood chop engages your obliques in a way that sit-ups and planks cannot do as you’re twisting your torso during the movement,” says Steve Chambers, Personal Trainer and Gym Manager atUltimate Performance. “But it also hits a number of different muscles too, including your entire set of abdominal muscles, back, delts and your serratus anterior muscles. It’s one of the best exercises you can add to your abs-building arsenal, particularly if you want your obliques to really pop.”
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
Essentially, all the wood chop is, is looping along resistance bandaround something sturdy, holding onto the end of it and then using your core and obliques to help rotate it away from you – like you’re chopping into the side of an imaginary tree. It may sound ‘easy’ and, arguably, the movement is, but whether you’re performing it correctly or not is often a different story. When you are, you’ll feel your core completely tighten to really move the band from point A to B, but when you’re not there’ll be no core engagement and you’ll just end up moving the band with your arms and bodyweight.
It’s definitely more fun than laying on the floor doing a ton of rotational crunches that’s for sure. I’ve been doing two sets of 15 reps on each side at the end of my workouts as a finisher and I honestly start to struggle once I get to 10 reps. The key is also not to let the band just fling back to the starting position, you want to do this slowly and work against the resistance of the band. Trust me, you’ll get far better results if you do.
How to do the band wood chop
If you don’t have a resistance band, you could always perform the exact same movement with a dumbbell (check out ourbest dumbbellsif you don’t own one), or if you’re in a gym you can use the cable machines. Keen for more core workouts? I definitely recommend checking out thisexercise that transformed my core and backthat uses apair of kettlebells.
Today’s best resistance band dealsPeach Bands Resistance Bands$9.99ViewSee all pricesDraper’s Strength Heavy Duty Resistance$6.59ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best resistance band dealsPeach Bands Resistance Bands$9.99ViewSee all pricesDraper’s Strength Heavy Duty Resistance$6.59ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best resistance band dealsPeach Bands Resistance Bands$9.99ViewSee all pricesDraper’s Strength Heavy Duty Resistance$6.59ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best resistance band deals
Peach Bands Resistance Bands$9.99ViewSee all pricesDraper’s Strength Heavy Duty Resistance$6.59ViewSee all prices
Peach Bands Resistance Bands$9.99ViewSee all prices
Peach Bands Resistance Bands$9.99ViewSee all prices
Peach Bands Resistance Bands
Peach Bands Resistance Bands
$9.99View
$9.99
$9.99
See all prices
Draper’s Strength Heavy Duty Resistance$6.59ViewSee all prices
Draper’s Strength Heavy Duty Resistance$6.59ViewSee all prices
Draper’s Strength Heavy Duty Resistance
Draper’s Strength Heavy Duty Resistance
$6.59View
$6.59
$6.59
See all prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
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