Russian Twist
Arms extend straight forward and rotate until aligned with hips
- Level
- Intermediate
- Movement
- Russian twist · Seated
- Tracks
- Reps only
Works
Abdominals Lower Back Back
How to do it
- Sit on the floor with knees bent and feet flat.
- Lean back slightly to lift feet off the ground.
- Clasp hands together and extend arms straight forward.
- Rotate your torso to the right until arms align with hips.
- Return to center and immediately rotate to the left side.
- Continue alternating sides for the desired number of reps.
Common mistakes
- Rounding the lower back excessively during the lean.
- Using momentum to swing the arms instead of twisting.
- Dropping feet to the floor when fatigue sets in.
- Looking at the hands rather than rotating the head with the torso.
Safety
Avoid this exercise if you have acute lower back pain or disc issues.
Do not hyperextend the spine when leaning back to start the movement.
Tips
- Keep your chest up to maintain a straight spine.
- Initiate the turn from your ribs, not just your arms.
- Exhale sharply as you rotate to engage deep core muscles.
Details
- Base movement
- Russian twist
- Legs
- Both
- Arms straight or bent
- Straight arms
- Body position
- Seated
