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Abs exercise · body weight

45° Side Bend

The 45° side bend is a bodyweight exercise that targets the abs, with the obliques assisting.

Animated demonstration of the 45° side bend
45° Side Bend — demonstration
Target muscle
Abs
Also works
Obliques
Equipment
Body weight
Body part
Waist

How to do the 45° side bend

  1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your arms extended straight down by your sides.
  2. Keeping your back straight and your core engaged, slowly bend your torso to one side, lowering your hand towards your knee.
  3. Pause for a moment at the bottom, then slowly return to the starting position.
  4. Repeat on the other side.
  5. Continue alternating sides for the desired number of repetitions.

Sets and reps

Start with 3 sets of 10–15 reps, resting 45–60 seconds. When every set feels easy, add reps, slow the lowering phase or move to a harder variation.

Muscles worked

The main muscle is the abs. The obliques work as secondary muscles. See all ab exercises or every bodyweight exercise.

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