Russian Twist

Description

The Russian twist is a bodyweight rotational core exercise where you sit with knees bent, lean back slightly, and rotate your torso side to side. It targets the obliques and trains rotational core strength. It is a foundational exercise that scales easily by adding weight, lifting the feet, or extending the legs.

Muscle Group

Abs, Core, Obliques

Equipment Required

Bodyweight

Russian Twist Instructions

Sit on the floor with knees bent at roughly 90 degrees and feet flat on the floor.
Lean back slightly so your torso is at roughly a 45-degree angle to the floor. Brace your core.
Bring your hands together in front of your chest with arms slightly bent.
For more challenge: lift your feet off the floor a few inches, balancing on your seat with knees still bent.
Rotate your torso to the right by twisting from the waist. Bring your hands to the right side of your body.
Briefly pause at the right, then reverse the motion and rotate to the left.
Continue alternating sides for the desired number of total reps.
Rotate from the waist, not from the arms. Keep your chest tall throughout — do not let it collapse.