Farewell, Crunches: This Move Is All You Need To Fire Up Your Core & Side Body

Having a strong core can improve many areas of your overall health. But if you're getting tired of the same old crunches and planks in your abs routine, consider adding a unique boat pose variation to your workout.

Boat pose alone is a great move for your core, and this version adds a side crunch component, to fire up your lower abs and obliques, too.

Here's how to do it correctly and effectively, demonstrated by mbg staffer and certified yoga instructor Amanda Quadrini.

How to do boat pose side crunches:

Helpful tips and tricks

With boat pose, and in this variation, there can be a tendency to hunch. Focus on keeping your spine straight. When you twist, imagine as if you're twisting up instead of down.

If you want to work this move even more, consider adding in low boat between sides: When you come back to center, bring your arms to the sides of your shins (boat pose) and on an exhale, slowly lower your torso and legs down to a hover, with only your bottom touching the floor. Inhale and squeeze up back to center.

Why it's so effective

Having a strong core will improve nearly every aspect of your fitness. From stability to balance, there's a reason it's called your "core"—it offers foundational support.

A stable center can also help reduce back pain, which is estimated to effect 80% of the population at some point in their lives. Not to mention, this pose also works your hip flexors, quads, and arms.

So, toss some boat pose side crunches into your next yoga flow the next time you want to work your side body and abs, or take a few rounds whenever you want to get your blood pumping. Your obliques will feel it in no time.