Dumbbell Side Bend
Muscles worked: Abs.
How to do it
- Stand up straight while holding a dumbbell on the left hand (palms facing the torso) as you have the right hand holding your waist.
- While keeping your back straight and your head up, bend only at the waist to the right as far as possible.
- Now repeat the movement but bending to the left instead.
- Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions and then change hands.
Coaching cues
The two cues IronPack shows on this exercise's card mid-workout:
- One bell only - the other side is the resistance
- Bend sideways strictly, no lean forward
Logging it
IronPack suggests working in the 12 to 20 rep range, progressing in 2 kg jumps when you own the top of the range. Records are tracked automatically at every rep count from 1 to 12. Check your estimated 1RM from any hard set.
Related exercises
- Cable Crunch - abs
- Hanging Leg Raise - abs
- Ab Wheel Rollout - abs
- Ab Crunch Machine - abs
Track the dumbbell side bend properly
IronPack logs every set, tracks your records at every rep count, shows these form photos mid-workout, and turns the training into a card game you play with your mates.
Get IronPack free on the App StoreFree download, iPhone. Currently on the New Zealand App Store, wider rollout to follow.
Photos and steps: free-exercise-db (public domain). Cues, muscle weighting and logging guidance are IronPack's own app data. Last generated 2026-07-17.