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Exercise guide

Russian Twist

How to do the Russian Twist with correct form, the muscles it works, and where it fits a training plan you actually stick to.

CompoundBody OnlyIntermediatePull
Primary muscles

Abs

Secondary

Lower Back

Equipment

Body Only

Step by step

How to do the Russian Twist

  1. 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. 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. 3

    Twist your torso to the right side until your arms are parallel with the floor while breathing out.

  4. 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. 5

    Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

In Ascend

Log it, see it on your body.

Every Russian Twist set you log feeds Ascend's anatomy heatmap — so your abs volume is visible at a glance — and counts toward your bodyweight-strength tier.

Related

More abs exercises

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