How to Do the Barbell Side Bend

Beginner · Barbell · Targets Abdominals, Lower Back

How to perform it

1. Stand up straight while holding a barbell placed on the back of your shoulders (slightly below the neck). Your feet should be shoulder width apart. This will be your starting position.
2. While keeping your back straight and your head up, bend only at the waist to the right as far as possible. Breathe in as you bend to the side. Then hold for a second and come back up to the starting position as you exhale. Tip: Keep the rest of the body stationary.
3. Now repeat the movement but bending to the left instead. Hold for a second and come back to the starting position.
4. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

Muscles worked

The Barbell Side Bend primarily targets your Abdominals, with support from your Lower Back. You'll need barbell.

Make it count toward your goal

Random sets rarely move the needle. In NYUS, the Barbell Side Bend slots into a plan built for your goal — sets, reps and progression auto-suggested, logged in two taps, and folded into a weekly review that adapts what comes next.