Oblique Reach

Instructions

Lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor.
Bring your upper body into a diagonal sit-up position so one shoulder blade is lifted off the floor.
Reach one hand toward the outside of the opposite-side of your body.
Return to the center while staying lifted.
Then reach to the other side.
Continue alternating side to side while maintaining the sit-up position.

Common Compensations

Do not pull on your neck or jut your head forward.
Do not collapse all the way down between reaches unless the exercise specifically calls for it.
Do not move only your arms without rotating through your trunk.
Do not hold your breath.
Do not rush the side-to-side reaches.
Do not let your low back arch excessively as you stay lifted.

Extra Info

You should feel this mostly in your abdominals and obliques.
You may also feel your hip flexors helping you maintain the lifted position.
The goal is to stay controlled in the sit-up position while reaching side to side.
Smaller reaches with better control are usually better than larger reaches with neck strain.
You should not feel sharp pain in your low back, neck, or hips.