I've been working my sides pretty well by leaning sideways on the diagonal lower back bench but these exercises seem to only work the lower part of the oblique, the part directly to the sides of the stomach. What are some good exercises for the muscles above this area, the area right underneath the underarm and to the side of the chest?



Talking about the highlighted area on the side of the body here - on this picture the area doesn't seem to go all the way up to the underarm - are there muscles here?

 

Are you talking about the serratus muscles?

If so, u can do rope pulls.

Execution:
1) Kneel on the floor holding on to ropes attached to a cable and overhead pulley
2) Keeping ur arms extended above u, curl ur body forward and down, pulling with the lats.
Continue this motion until ur head is almost touching ur thighs. Bring ur elbows down to the floor, pulling with the elbows. release, uncurl, and come back up to the starting position.

I got this from The Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding. This book is very helpful. Thanks Arnold...

 

1. rope pulls to the side
2. side bends with weights
3. crunches to the sides
4. heavy squats and deadlifts