Dumbbell Side Bend
A standing oblique exercise where you hold one dumbbell and bend your torso sideways under control.
Secondary muscles
How to do it
- Stand tall with your feet about hip-width apart and hold a dumbbell in one hand at your side.
- Place your other hand on your hip or behind your head and brace your stomach.
- Keep your chest up and slowly bend your torso sideways away from the dumbbell.
- Lower the dumbbell down the side of your leg as far as you can without twisting or leaning forward.
- Squeeze your obliques and return to standing tall.
- Complete all reps on one side, then switch hands and repeat.
Form cues
- Bend only to the side
- Keep chest tall
- Brace your core
- Move slowly and controlled
Common mistakes
- Twisting the torso as you bend
- Leaning forward instead of sideways
- Shrugging the weighted shoulder up
- Using momentum to swing back up
Breathing
Inhale as you bend sideways, then exhale as you return to standing.
