Russian Twist
A seated rotation exercise for the obliques; hold a weight to make it harder.
Drag to rotate
How to do the russian twist
- 1Sit with knees bent and lean back until your abs engage.
- 2Hold your hands together in front of your chest.
- 3Rotate your torso to one side, then the other.
- 4Keep your hips still and the movement controlled.
When to pick it: Pick it as an oblique finisher; keep the feet down if the lower back complains.
Form cues
- Rotate from the ribs
- Chest tall
- Slow and controlled
Common mistakes
- Just moving the arms
- Rounding the back
- Going too fast
Sets and reps
| Goal | Sets | Reps | Rest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strength | 3–5 | 3–6 | 2–3 min |
| Muscle size | 3–4 | 6–15 | 1–2 min |
| Endurance | 2–3 | 15–25 | 30–60 s |
Finish each set with one or two good reps left in the tank. When you hit the top of the rep range on every set, add weight next time.
Equipment taken? Swap it for
These train the same muscles with different equipment.
General fitness information, not medical advice. Stop if an exercise causes pain, and check with a clinician before starting if you have an injury or a health condition.