Cable Russian Twists

How to do the Cable Russian Twists

1. Connect a standard handle attachment, and position the cable to a middle pulley position.
2. Lie on a stability ball perpendicular to the cable and grab the handle with one hand. You should be approximately arm"s length away from the pulley, with the tension of the weight on the cable.
3. Grab the handle with both hands and fully extend your arms above your chest. You hands should be directly in-line with the pulley. If not, adjust the pulley up or down until they are.
4. Keep your hips elevated and abs engaged. Rotate your torso away from the pulley for a full-quarter rotation. Your body should be flat from head to knees.
5. Pause for a moment and in a slow and controlled manner reset to the starting position. You should still have side tension on the cable in the resting position.
6. Repeat the same movement to failure.
7. Then, reposition and repeat the same series of movements on the opposite side.

Muscles worked

Role	Muscles
Primary	abs
Equipment	cable machine
Difficulty	beginner
Type	compound

No cable machine? Train the same muscles with these

Ordered by how likely you are to own the 6 options.

3/4 Sit-Up Bodyweight Air Bike Bodyweight Bent-Knee Hip Raise Bodyweight Bottoms Up Bodyweight Butt-Ups Bodyweight Cocoons Bodyweight

Harder than the Cable Russian Twists

Hanging Leg Raise expert · Bodyweight Hanging Pike expert · Bodyweight Bent Press expert · Kettlebell

Superset the Cable Russian Twists with

Opposing lower back work — alternate sets without extra rest.

Stiff Leg Barbell Good Morning lower back Hyperextensions (Back Extensions) lower back Barbell Deadlift lower back Hyperextensions With No Hyperextension Bench lower back

Common questions

What muscles does the Cable Russian Twists work?

The Cable Russian Twists primarily works the abs. 3/4 Sit-Up, Ab Roller, and Air Bike train the same muscle, across 9 equipment types.

What equipment do you need for the Cable Russian Twists?

A Cable Machine. Without a cable machine, 3/4 Sit-Up, Air Bike, and Bent-Knee Hip Raise train the same muscle, and 45 of the catalogue's options for this muscle need no equipment.

Is the Cable Russian Twists suitable for beginners?

Yes, the Cable Russian Twists is rated beginner. Hanging Leg Raise, Hanging Pike, and Bent Press are the progressions from here.

Where should the Cable Russian Twists go in a workout?

Early — the Cable Russian Twists is compound, working 1 muscle group, so run it first or second while you are fresh, then superset Stiff Leg Barbell Good Morning and Hyperextensions (Back Extensions) later.

Similar exercises

3/4 Sit-Up Bodyweight Ab Roller Other Equipment Air Bike Bodyweight Barbell Ab Rollout Barbell Barbell Ab Rollout - On Knees Barbell Barbell Rollout from Bench Barbell