TETSU45° Side Bend vs Cable Twist
The 45° Side Bend and the Cable Twist both train the abs as their primary muscle. The 45° Side Bend is bodyweight-only while the Cable Twist uses a cable. Here is how they compare and when to pick each.
Side-by-side comparison
| 45° Side Bend | Cable Twist | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary muscle | abs | abs |
| Body part | waist | waist |
| Supporting muscles | obliques | obliques |
| Equipment | bodyweight | cable |
| Steps in our guide | 5 | 7 |
How each one starts
45° Side Bend — first steps
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your arms extended straight down by your sides.
- Keeping your back straight and your core engaged, slowly bend your torso to one side, lowering your hand towards your knee.
Cable Twist — first steps
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, facing the cable machine.
- Hold the cable handle with both hands in front of your chest, keeping your arms slightly bent.
Full step-by-step guides are linked below.
Which should you choose?
The 45° Side Bend needs no equipment and scales through leverage, tempo and reps. The Cable Twist keeps constant tension on the muscle through the whole range of motion. If your gym has both options, neither is a wrong choice: pick the one that feels strongest through a full range, and swap after 6 to 8 weeks to keep the abs adapting.
Full form guides
Common questions
Is the 45° Side Bend better than the Cable Twist?
Neither is universally better — both train the abs as the primary mover. The 45° Side Bend needs no equipment and scales through leverage, tempo and reps, while the Cable Twist keeps constant tension on the muscle through the whole range of motion. Choose based on your equipment and which movement you can progress consistently.
Can I do both the 45° Side Bend and the Cable Twist in the same program?
Yes, but usually not in the same session — they overlap heavily on the abs. A common setup is one as your main movement and the other on a second training day, or alternating them block by block.
Do the 45° Side Bend and the Cable Twist work the same muscles?
Yes — the primary muscle is the same (abs) and both rely on the same supporting muscles: obliques.
Track it in Tetsu
Tetsu tracks both movements separately, keeps your PRs per exercise, and tells you which one is actually progressing. Free to start.