Are sidebends really worth doing? I've read that they help with your abs and other places say that it just helps your back and isn't worth it if you're trying to build good abs

Well there are a lot of different opinions, but I've been doing side bend exercises with dumbbells for about 30 years now. And it has kept my abs pretty firm and my waist line under control, ( if only in my mind! ) I do three sets of about 30 throughout the day. Along with a lot of other exercises, but I've always felt that the side bends along with general exercise, kept my body in pretty good shape after having 4 kids and throughout the years.

I consider some form of resistance stimulation of the external obliques a part of your core workout. Sure... it isn't hitting the rectus abdominus 6 pack, but it does strengthen your midsection and is an overall part of cranking in your waist. Many exercises that focus on your central abs stress your core, so you need to work the entire region.

I tend to use two machines. A weighted pulley for side bends with resistance and a machine I bought last year on supersale at a closing sharper image called the Love Handler. I'm generally skeptical of the latest take home wonder machines, but it was super cheap on fire sale and it's a nice workout. I curse it daily.

So don't neglect this area just because you are focusing on your 6 pack. It all ties together. Also other core challenging moves like squats or lunges tighten you up. Pilates is great. Seriously... if you don't think it's a workout you try doing a controlled pilates-type situp as easily and gracefully as an instructor.

As for your abs, my workout is bicycle or pike crunches, plank, pilates-style situps and half rollbacks.