Years ago, I had a colleague who I worked with at a gym tell me that the obliques were the key to a lot of people’s torso function, including their ability to breathe properly during exercise. Admittedly, at the time, I had trouble conceiving of this. It was around 10 years ago and I still hadn’t seen enough clients to tell you one way or the other. 

Well experience was the best teacher here and below are 10 useful observations in dealing with a myriad of issues related to the oblique muscle group.

1. For some, starting off a session with isolated oblique exercises will stave off any pain to the lower back if they’re prone to it.

2. On that subject, one of the easiest ways to miss someone’s issue with their obliques is to assume it’ll always show in rotational (transverse) exercises. It will not always present there!

3. Check one of the prime functions of the external oblique (flexion) by simply side bending. You’d be shocked at how many clients, both in athletic and general populations, have issues here. Watch for compensations galore.

4. To dive deeper on that: the internal obliques are highly active in side bends as well on the opposite side. Note where the movement dysfunction occurs or what your client/athlete has to say.

5. The obliques come off as slightly mysterious at time. When you’re getting reports of discomfort in the lower back on exercises that should not cause it, I often look here first. The same goes for any adjacent muscle pain.

6. Obliques are really crucial in teaching and manipulating pelvic position in many movements, particularly non-transverse plane movements. Watch this brief clip to see what I mean.

7. Understanding when someone has impaired or weak oblique function is not always obvious.

8. Breathing issues and people with an inability to manipulate their ribcage position (sometimes those with difficult achieving the right sternum position in the power lifts for example) should be addressed examining the internal obliques. One of their functions is an antagonist to the diaphragm.

9. Sharp exhales, like those in a kettlebell swing as you come up in the concentric phase, challenge the internal obliques quite a bit in this respiratory function.

10. Individuals who have a lot of thoracic spine issues, that is to say, they have little mobility there, will often have impaired oblique function. Always address the obliques when addressing spinal mobility.

It seems simple, but it took me 10 years to come up with this list from observing on the gym floor with clients. If you have any to add, please comment and let me know!