Is this a useless exercise?

ClubSilencio
ClubSilencio Posts: 2,983 Member
edited November 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
abdominal-DumbbellSideBend.gif




So rather than idle between sets I like to pick up a kettlebell and do these side bends. However, a trainer said to me in passing that "those are useless for your abs". (We've fraternized before and he's a cool guy... I think he was just giving blunt advice here.)

Is it true?

I go heavy as possible so there is constant tension and I perform a slow and controlled movement throughout. And like I said, it's just something I get in between sets of my workout that doesn't require a lot of oxygen.

Thoughts?


Replies

  • usmcmp
    usmcmp Posts: 21,219 Member
    Core work should generally wait until the end of the workout. Side bends are alright for obliques. They're worthless if you hold a weight in each hand.
  • drwilseyjr
    drwilseyjr Posts: 225 Member
    It's not going to hurt anything, but if you're doing them for abs, your friend is correct.
  • auddii
    auddii Posts: 15,357 Member
    I found they work wonders for grip strength; they don't do much for my abs.
  • dstromley90
    dstromley90 Posts: 60 Member
    ive always been told not to do heavy oblique work because it thickens your waist,
  • WilsonFilson
    WilsonFilson Posts: 83 Member
    edited March 2016
    Unless you have severely underworked obliques, you shouldn't directly work them at all. Dudes with large obliques have to stay incredibly thin otherwise, it makes them look fat (relatively speaking of course). If your obliques are sticking out, unless you are in the 6-8% bf range, its just not going to look good.

    Obliques get enough work from standard compound lifts and ab work.
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