Barbell side bend v. 2

Abs

• Target muscles: abs, obliques, back
• Equipment: barbell
• Level: intermediate

How to do it

1. Stand tall, feet shoulder-width apart, and place the bar across your upper back behind your head.
2. Grip the bar with both hands wider than shoulder-width, back straight, core braced.
3. Bend your torso directly to the side without rotating your hips: one end of the bar drops, the other rises.
4. Hold at the bottom of the bend, feeling tension in your obliques.
5. Return to upright and bend the same way to the other side.
6. Continue alternating sides for the desired number of reps.

Swap it for

• Side Bend on Stability Ball with Dumbbell
• 45° hyperextension bench side bend
• Captain's chair oblique knee raise
• Dumbbell side bend
• Cable crossover side bend
• BOSU cable crunch

Harder

• BOSU cable crunch
• Captain's chair oblique knee raise

Easier

• 45° hyperextension bench side bend
• Cable crossover side bend
• Dumbbell side bend