Core · Kettlebell
Kettlebell Side Bend
How to do the kettlebell side bend, the muscles it works, and the mistakes to avoid. Pulled straight from the Kovo app's exercise library.
- Equipment
- Kettlebell
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Logged as
- Weighted reps
- Movement
- Extension
- Mechanic
- Isolation
How to do it
Stand tall holding a kettlebell in one hand, arm extended down at your side, with your other hand on your hip or behind your head. Without leaning forward or back, bend sideways toward the kettlebell, then contract your obliques to pull your torso back upright. Finish all reps, then switch sides.
- 1Your obliques engaging as you bend toward the kettlebell and pull back up
- 2Your hips square and your spine tall through the bend
- 3A squeeze on the working side at the top of each rep
Common mistakes
- Rotating your torso or leaning forward
- Bending backward instead of straight to the side
- Using momentum; move slowly and controlled
Muscles worked
The kettlebell side bend mainly works the obliques, with the upper abs and lower abs assisting.
- ObliquesPrimary
- Upper AbsSupport
- Lower AbsSupport
- QuadsMinor
- Side DeltsMinor
Kovo programs the kettlebell side bend for you and tracks it every session.
We build your whole program, drop the right lifts into each workout, and adjust your weights as you get stronger. Free on iOS and Android.
More abs & core exercises
- How to do the ab wheel rollout
- How to do the ankle tap plank
- How to do the ankle taps
- How to do the resistance band dead bugs
- How to do the resistance band pallof press
- How to do the rollout
Last reviewed June 2026.