Side Lying Scissors

Side Lying Scissors is a fantastic exercise that targets your abdominal muscles, particularly the obliques. This exercise is performed while lying on your side, making it ideal for working the muscles that help stabilize and support your core. Side Lying Scissors also engages your hip flexors, inner thighs, and outer thighs, making it a great multitasking move for toning and strengthening multiple muscle groups. By lying on your side and extending your legs out straight, you'll activate your oblique muscles on the side facing upward. This exercise requires controlled and deliberate movement, helping to improve your core stability and overall body control. As you alternate lifting and lowering your legs in a scissor-like motion, your obliques work to stabilize your torso, preventing excessive leaning or rolling. Side Lying Scissors can be adjusted to accommodate various fitness levels, making it suitable for beginners to advanced exercisers. You can modify the exercise by keeping your legs bent or performing smaller scissors movements if you're just starting out. For an extra challenge, you can add ankle weights or incorporate a stability ball between your legs to increase the resistance and intensity. Incorporating Side Lying Scissors into your workout routine can help strengthen your core muscles, improve your stability, and enhance your overall physique. Remember to engage your core throughout the exercise and maintain proper form to maximize the benefits. Whether you're working out at home or in the gym, Side Lying Scissors is a valuable addition to any fitness routine.

Instructions

• Lie on your side with your legs extended straight and stacked on top of each other.
• Place your lower arm directly under your shoulder and prop yourself up, keeping your body in a straight line.
• Engage your core and lift your top leg a few inches off the bottom leg, keeping it straight.
• Slowly lower your leg back down, crossing it in front of your bottom leg.
• Repeat the movement, crossing your leg in the opposite direction.
• Continue alternating sides for the desired number of repetitions.

Tips & Tricks

• Engage your core throughout the entire exercise to stabilize your body and protect your lower back.
• Keep your legs straight and feet flexed to properly engage your leg muscles.
• Focus on controlled and deliberate movements to maximize the effectiveness of the exercise.
• Start with a lower number of repetitions and gradually increase as your strength and endurance improve.
• To add an extra challenge, hold a light dumbbell between your feet.
• Breathe deeply and exhale as you bring your legs together and inhale as you open them.
• Avoid straining your neck by keeping it in a neutral position and looking straight ahead.
• If you experience any pain or discomfort, modify the exercise or consult with a fitness professional.
• Perform the exercise on a comfortable surface, such as a yoga mat, to provide cushioning for your body.
• Remember to rest and recover between sets to prevent overexertion and allow your muscles to rebuild.