Exercise Comparison
3/4 Sit-Up vs Dumbbell Side Bend
Side-by-Side
Muscle Analysis
Shared
Instructions
3/4 Sit-Up
Lie down on the floor and secure your feet. Your legs should be bent at the knees.
Place your hands behind or to the side of your head. You will begin with your back on the ground. This will be your starting position.
Flex your hips and spine to raise your torso toward your knees.
At the top of the contraction your torso should be perpendicular to the ground. Reverse the motion, going only ¾ of the way down.
Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Dumbbell Side Bend
Stand up straight while holding a dumbbell on the left hand (palms facing the torso) as you have the right hand holding your waist. Your feet should be placed at shoulder width. This will be your starting position.
While keeping your back straight and your head up, bend only at the waist to the right as far as possible. Breathe in as you bend to the side. Then hold for a second and come back up to the starting position as you exhale. Tip: Keep the rest of the body stationary.
Now repeat the movement but bending to the left instead. Hold for a second and come back to the starting position.
Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions and then change hands.
Verdict
Both exercises target the abdominals. 3/4 Sit-Up is a beginner exercise using bodyweight, while Dumbbell Side Bend is beginner and uses dumbbell. Choose 3/4 Sit-Up if you have access to bodyweight, or Dumbbell Side Bend if you prefer dumbbell. 3/4 Sit-Up is a compound movement working multiple joints, making it better for overall strength. Dumbbell Side Bend isolates the target muscle for focused development.