Classic ab moves like planks and crunches will slightly activate your obliques, but they don't put the majority of the focus on these muscles. To specifically target both your internal and external obliques, your best bet is to pick specific moves designed for that purpose. And we've got 12 oblique exercises that work those muscles — as well as other important parts of your core, including your transverse abdominis (your deep core) and your rectus abdominis (the muscles along the front of your stomach). In all, these oblique exercises will help you create a powerful core so you can move more efficiently.

We included bodyweight oblique exercises and weighted oblique exercises, as well as oblique exercises for beginners and more advanced oblique exercises, so there's something for everyone. You can add one or two of these oblique exercises into your next workout, or use the list to put together an oblique-focused ab circuit. To do that, just pick three of these oblique exercises; do each one for 30 seconds, repeating on both sides if needed; and do three rounds, resting as needed between rounds. We promise, you'll be feeling the burn the next day.

Oblique Crunch

This twisted crunch places more of the work on your oblique muscles instead of your rectus abdominis, which run up the front and center of your abs.

• Start lying face-up on a mat 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 to the starting position. That's one rep.