Core · Bodyweight
Standing Side Circle Stretch
How to do the standing side circle stretch, the muscles it works, and the mistakes to avoid. Pulled straight from the Kovo app's exercise library.
- Equipment
- Bodyweight
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Logged as
- time
- Movement
- Flexion
- Mechanic
- Isolation
How to do it
Stand with your feet hip-width apart and reach both arms overhead. Lean your torso to one side and slowly circle through a side bend, opening up the ribs and waist, then switch directions.
- 1Feel a long stretch down the side of your torso and waist
- 2Reach tall through your fingertips as you lean over
- 3Keep the circle slow and controlled through your trunk
Common mistakes
- Don't bounce or force the side bend
- Avoid twisting or hunching as you circle
- Don't let your hips shift so far you lose balance
Muscles worked
The standing side circle stretch mainly works the obliques, with the lats, lower back, and upper abs assisting.
- ObliquesPrimary
- LatsSupport
- Lower BackSupport
- Upper AbsSupport
- Upper TrapsMinor
- Lower AbsMinor
Kovo programs the standing side circle stretch 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.