Russian Twist

How to do the Russian Twist

1. Lie down on the floor placing your feet either under something that will not move or by having a partner hold them. Your legs should be bent at the knees.
2. Elevate your upper body so that it creates an imaginary V-shape with your thighs. Your arms should be fully extended in front of you perpendicular to your torso and with the hands clasped. This is the starting position.
3. Twist your torso to the right side until your arms are parallel with the floor while breathing out.
4. Hold the contraction for a second and move back to the starting position while breathing out. Now move to the opposite side performing the same techniques you applied to the right side.
5. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

Muscles worked

Role	Muscles
Primary	abs
Secondary	lower back
Equipment	no equipment
Difficulty	intermediate
Type	compound

Train the same muscles a different way

6 alternatives for the same abs, with and without kit.

Bent Press Kettlebell Spell Caster Dumbbell Exercise Ball Pull-In Exercise Ball Kettlebell Pass Between The Legs Kettlebell Kettlebell Windmill Kettlebell Barbell Ab Rollout Barbell

Easier than the Russian Twist

Same movement pattern, lower entry difficulty — work up from here.

Landmine 180's beginner · Barbell 3/4 Sit-Up beginner · Bodyweight Air Bike beginner · Bodyweight

Harder than the Russian Twist

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

Superset the Russian Twist with

Opposing lower back work — alternate sets without extra rest.

Hyperextensions With No Hyperextension Bench lower back Barbell Deadlift lower back Weighted Ball Hyperextension lower back Stiff Leg Barbell Good Morning lower back

Common questions

What muscles does the Russian Twist work?

The Russian Twist primarily works the abs, with the lower back as secondary movers. Barbell Ab Rollout, Barbell Ab Rollout - On Knees, and Bent Press train the same muscle, across 9 equipment types.

What equipment do you need for the Russian Twist?

None — the Russian Twist is bodyweight, so it works at home, in a hotel room or outdoors. Barbell Ab Rollout and Barbell Ab Rollout - On Knees also need nothing.

Is the Russian Twist suitable for beginners?

It is rated intermediate. Start with Landmine 180's, 3/4 Sit-Up, and Air Bike and work up.

Where should the Russian Twist go in a workout?

Early — the Russian Twist is compound, working 2 muscle groups, so run it first or second while you are fresh, then superset Hyperextensions With No Hyperextension Bench and Barbell Deadlift later.

Similar exercises

Barbell Ab Rollout Barbell Barbell Ab Rollout - On Knees Barbell Bent Press Kettlebell Landmine 180's Barbell 3/4 Sit-Up Bodyweight Ab Roller Other Equipment