The Russian twist is a core exercise that targets the abdominal muscles and obliques. It involves rotating the torso from side to side while balancing on the sit bones, often with the feet lifted off the ground.
Also Works
Obliques
How to Perform
1
Sit on the ground with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor.
2
Lean back slightly while keeping your back straight and your core engaged.
3
Hold your hands together in front of your chest or hold a weight if desired.
4
Lift your feet off the ground, balancing on your sit bones.
5
Twist your torso to the right, bringing your hands or weight towards the right side of your body.
6
Pause for a moment, then twist your torso to the left, bringing your hands or weight towards the left side of your body.
7
Continue alternating sides for the desired number of repetitions.
Pro Tips
•Lean back to about a 45-degree angle and keep your chest up; rounding your back disengages the abs.
•Rotate from your ribcage, not just your arms; your shoulders should turn with your torso.
•Lift your feet off the ground only if you can maintain a stable torso angle without rocking.
Common Mistakes
•Just moving the arms side to side without actually rotating the torso, which means the obliques barely work.
•Rounding the back and collapsing the chest, which shifts load to the hip flexors instead of the core.
•Using a weight that's too heavy and losing the controlled rotation.