Side Bends

Side Bends represent one active workout routine that enables individuals to focus on toning their abdominal muscles. As with just about every other approach, Side Bends work to flatten tummy muscles by contracting and relaxing these muscles over and over again through the means of the participant’s body motion. In Side Bends, these muscles are primarily the muscles of the sides, which are called oblique muscles. This routine requires access to hand weights.

To do Side Bends correctly, one begins by standing upright with legs spread apart. Bending the knees slightly and holding a dumbbell in one hand, the individual places the other hand behind his or her head. Then, pivoting at the hips toward the side on which the dumbbell is being held, the individual leans all the way until the dumbbell is at knee level. After returning the upper body to the original position, the participant repeats the Side Bends a set number of times, then switching hands and doing the same number of repetitions on the other side. For folks who wish to flatten tummy muscles along the sides of the torso, doing Side Bends should prove to be a worthwhile approach to toning and strengthening.