Side Leg Raise vs 45 Degrees Side Bend
Which one fits your Core workout plan?
Contents
Planfit users log 45 Degrees Side Bend more often — 714 sessions vs 244. Compare Core form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Compare the benefits of Side Leg Raise and 45 Degrees Side Bend and pick the one that fits your Core workout.
Side Leg Raise vs 45 Degrees Side Bend: Which Do Planfit Users Choose?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log 45 Degrees Side Bend more often — 714 sessions compared to 244 for Side Leg Raise.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Side Leg Raise and 45 Degrees Side Bend differ in the muscles they work, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.
How Side Leg Raise and 45 Degrees Side Bend Differ
| What differs | Side Leg Raise | 45 Degrees Side Bend |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | outer thighs and abs | abs |
| Equipment | bodyweight only | a machine |
| Difficulty | 1 of 5 | 2 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 244 sessions | 714 sessions |
How to Do Side Leg Raise
Side Leg Raise Muscles Worked: Core
Form
- 1. Slowly lift your foot away from the floor.
- 2. Slowly return to the starting position.
Coach's Tips
- If it's too difficult, try doing it lying on your side without lifting your body.
For a full Side Leg Raise guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Side Leg Raise exercise guide.
How to Do 45 Degrees Side Bend
45 Degrees Side Bend Muscles Worked: Core
Form
- 1. Lean one side of your waist against the apparatus and tilt your body at a 45-degree angle.
- 2. Bend your waist and lower your upper body.
- 3. Contract your side and return to the original position.
Coach's Tips
- Be careful not to twist your waist excessively when doing 45-degree side bends.
For a full 45 Degrees Side Bend guide with alternatives and benefits, see the 45 Degrees Side Bend exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Core, Side Leg Raise or 45 Degrees Side Bend?
Planfit users log 45 Degrees Side Bend more often — 714 sessions against 244 for Side Leg Raise. Both train Core, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
Do Side Leg Raise and 45 Degrees Side Bend work the same muscles?
Not quite. Side Leg Raise loads outer thighs and abs, and 45 Degrees Side Bend loads abs.
What equipment do Side Leg Raise and 45 Degrees Side Bend need?
Side Leg Raise needs bodyweight only, and 45 Degrees Side Bend needs a machine.
Which is easier to start with?
Side Leg Raise is the easier place to start. Move to 45 Degrees Side Bend once your form holds up.
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