Strengthening your obliques is important for a strong core, which is why Dr. Malek suggests adding the oblique crunch to your routine two to four times a week.
Start lying on a mat in a supine position (facing upward) with your knees bent and your feet flat on the mat. Your heels should be about a foot away from your glute muscles.
From this position, lower both legs to the right side of your body. Your right leg should be touching the ground, and your left leg should be stacked on top of the right. Your upper back and shoulders should be flat on the mat.
With your hands behind your head or crossed in front of your chest, engage your core (gently brace your abdominal muscles) and slowly lift your shoulders and back off the ground, performing a crunch.
With control, lower your body back down to the starting position. This counts as one rep.
Complete 10 to 15 reps targeting your left oblique muscles (with your knees bent to the right) and 10 to 15 reps targeting your right oblique muscles (with your knees bent to the left). This counts as one set. Repeat for a total of three sets.