The standing side bend works your obliques, and simultaneously stretches one side of your torso while working the other.
- Stand with your feet a little wider than hip-width distance apart while holding a five- to 5-kilogram dumbbell over your head. Squeeze your head with your upper arms to fire up your core and protect your neck.
- Bend sideways to the right, squeezing your waist on the right side. Keep your neck as neutral as possible, looking forward, not down.
- Pull the left ribs down to return to standing upright. This focuses the work on the left obliques. Switch sides, and bend to the left to complete one rep.