Russian Twist

Sit on the ground with your knees bent and feet flat. Lean back slightly while keeping your back straight. Hold your hands together in front of your chest. Twist your torso to the right, tapping your hands on the ground. Return to center and then twist to the left, tapping your hands on the ground. Repeat the twisting motion from side to side.

How to perform the Russian Twist

  1. Set up. Set up in a stable, balanced starting position appropriate for the Russian Twist using your body weight.
  2. Brace and execute. Brace your core, control the descent, and move through a full pain-free range of motion while emphasizing your abdominals.
  3. Reset. Reverse the movement under control and reset between repetitions, keeping your form crisp on every rep.

Coaching cues

  • Move with intent — every rep should feel deliberate, not rushed.
  • Drive force through your abdominals rather than momentum.
  • Keep your breathing steady: exhale on the hard part, inhale on the reset.

Common mistakes

  • Using too much weight and losing positional control.
  • Cutting the range of motion short and missing the target muscle.
  • Letting your spine round or hyperextend instead of staying neutral.

Detailed cues, common mistakes, and demonstration video are available in the Fitly app.

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Variations of Russian Twist

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