Bicycle crunches are "wonderful for obliques," says certified Pilates instructor Supatra Tovar. "I love how this one really hits the obliques and challenges the body's oppositional strength," adds Kelsey Taylor, a personal trainer and Peak Pilates-certified instructor. "It also works the deep transverse [abdominis] and pulls everything in and together."
- Lie flat on the floor with your lower back pressed to the ground (pull your abs down to also target your deep abs). Put your hands behind your head.
- Bring your knees in toward your chest in a tabletop position and lift your shoulder blades off the ground.
- Straighten your right leg out to hover off the floor ground while turning your upper body to the left, bringing your right elbow toward your left knee. Make sure your rib cage is moving and not just your elbows.
- Switch sides and do the same motion on the other side. That's one rep.
