How to do barbell side bends

This is an animated body sculpting tutorial for barbell side bends. Use the controls to pause, slow down and follow along with detailed step-by-step text instructions that match up with each movement. This instructional fitness body building video is incredibly in depth and a great guide for learning barbell side bends.

How to do Barbell Side Bend - Abdominals

In this lesson you will learn how to do proper Barbell Side Bends. This exercise works the obliques and I recommend to do the barbell side bend at the end of your abdominal workout. The same exercise can also be done with 2 dumbbells.

Description: Barbell Side Bend - Abdominals

* Stand with your feet about one shoulder width apart and place a light barbell on your shoulders (light barbell = 10 kg or 25 lbs). Keep your knees almost extended during the whole exercise and look straight forward. Stand upright and keep your head high (don´t bend forward or back).
* Bend to the left as far as possible, inhale and keep looking straight forward. Make sure your upper body and the barbell stay in a vertical layer as you bend to the left side. Technical advice: You should be able to do the barbell side bend one inch from a wall without hitting it with the barbell. Move slowly and concentrated and bend down until the right side of your abdominals is slightly stretched. Don't bend your knees and keep your hips as still as possible.
* Move back up and exhale slowly. The strength comes from the right side of your abdominals. Don´t twist your upper body, don´t bend your knees, don´t move your hips.
* Then bend down to the right side, so that the left side of your abdominals is stretched and inhale again.
* Finally move back to the beginning position and exhale slowly and concentrated. Then start over. Keep in mind that you have to keep knees hips as still as possible and always move the barbell in a vertical layer. Look straight forward during the whole exercise and move slowly and concentrated.