Abs exercise · body weight
45° Side Bend
The 45° side bend is a bodyweight exercise that targets the abs, with the obliques assisting.
- Target muscle
- Abs
- Also works
- Obliques
- Equipment
- Body weight
- Body part
- Waist
How to do the 45° side bend
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your arms extended straight down by your sides.
- Keeping your back straight and your core engaged, slowly bend your torso to one side, lowering your hand towards your knee.
- Pause for a moment at the bottom, then slowly return to the starting position.
- Repeat on the other side.
- 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.







