External Oblique

The external obliques are located in the outer abdomen region, and run in a V shape from the pelvis to the lower ribs.

The external oblique is recruited during flexion, and lateral flexion of the trunk. Exercises that require this action will recruit the external obliques effectively. These exercises can be viewed to the right.

The external obliques will become more apparent with lower levels of body fat, and thus to achieve defined external obliques diet and cardiovascular training often needs to be addressed for the muscle to show through. View our Forums for help with this aspect.
Remember- Training the abdominal muscles will not spot reduce fat of that area.

The external obliques has been noted to contain an abundance of type ii fibres, thus hypertrophy will best be stimulated with 6-12 reps providing optimal time under tension, adequate stimulation for sarcoplasmic hypertrophy, and acute response to anabolic hormone concentrations, compared to that of lower rep ranges.