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Side-To-Side Toe Touch (Male)

A supine crunch variation reaching alternately toward each foot, training the obliques and upper abs through short-range trunk flexion with rotation.

CoreBodyweightTrunk flexion with rotation
GoLightWeight mediaside-to-side-toe-touch-male

Demonstration coming soon

Primary

ObliquesRectus abdominis

Secondary

Hip flexorsSerratus anterior

Equipment

Bodyweight

Pattern

Trunk flexion with rotation

Setup

  1. 01Lie on your back with knees bent and feet flat on the floor about hip width apart.
  2. 02Extend the arms along your sides with palms facing the body.
  3. 03Tuck the chin slightly and lift the shoulder blades just off the floor.
  4. 04Press the lower back gently toward the floor.

Execution

  1. 01Crunch and side-bend to reach one hand toward the same-side heel.
  2. 02Return through the center without letting the shoulders rest on the floor.
  3. 03Reach toward the other heel with the opposite hand.
  4. 04Continue alternating in a smooth, controlled rhythm.

Checkpoints

  • -Shoulder blades stay off the floor for the whole set.
  • -The reach comes from trunk side flexion, not from yanking the arm.
  • -The lower back keeps light contact with the floor.
  • -The neck stays relaxed with the chin gently tucked.

Common mistakes

  • -Pulling the head forward with the chin jammed to the chest.
  • -Letting the torso fully relax to the floor between reps.
  • -Sliding the feet closer to make the reach trivially short.
  • -Rushing the reps so the obliques never load.

Programming notes

  • -Use 2 to 3 sets of 10 to 20 touches per side.
  • -Slow the tempo or add a pause at each heel touch to progress before adding load.
  • -Works well as a finisher after heavier anti-rotation or carry work.

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