How to do it
Keep your knees slightly bent to absorb each lateral shift smoothly.
- 1
Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, holding a barbell on your shoulders behind your neck.
- 2
Keep your back straight and bend only at the waist to one side as far as comfortable.
- 3
Return to the starting position and then bend to the other side.
- 4
Repeat for the desired number of repetitions on each side.
Expert tip
Maintain a tight core throughout the exercise to protect your lower back and ensure the movement targets the obliques effectively.
Common mistakes
- ✕Leaning forward instead of bending sideways
- ✕Rotating the torso during the lateral bend
- ✕Shifting the hips laterally during the bend