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Russian Twist: How to Do, Plus Variations and Muscles Worked

Written by Resurchify | Updated on: February 20, 2023

Russian Twist: How to Do, Plus Variations and Muscles Worked

In this article, you will learn everything that you should know while doing Russian twists

Are you on a weight loss and muscle gain journey? Then you must have come across several Instagram reels and youtube videos that claim to tell you the right workout. You have seen the workout video but you don’t know the proper meaning or the technique of the workout. Therefore, there is no meaning in doing anything without knowing the proper advantages and disadvantages of it.

The Russian twist is one such exercise that is very much hyped and several fitness experts claim that regular Russian twist exercise can reduce your belly pat. It is also a great workout exercise if you want to develop your abs. Additionally, Russian twist does not require any kind of heavy gym equipment to do it.

Russian Twist Exercise

The Russian Twist is an abdominal exercise that targets the obliques, the muscles that run down the sides of your torso. It is performed by sitting on the floor with the knees bent and feet flat on the ground. The arms are held out in front of the chest with the palms facing down. 

The torso is then twisted from side to side, bringing the arms across the body with each twist. The exercise can be made more challenging by holding a medicine ball or weight plate. It is one of the most convenient exercises and it is the most effective workout as well. One must know the proper way to do it and he or she can do gym-like workouts at home. Doing Russian twists leaves your abdominal area burning. This means that you would feel that your abdominal muscles have worked out. Russian twists are also included as a pre-workout exercise in the cardio series of exercises.

Benefits of Russian Twist

Russian twist has several benefits. If you perform the Russian twist regularly, you can strengthen your core and abdominal muscles. It also helps you to eliminate lower back muscle pain. The other benefits of doing a Russian twist are:

Core Strength

The Russian twist is an effective exercise for improving core strength. It works the abdominal muscles, obliques, and lower back muscles. It also helps to improve balance and coordination.

Balance

The Russian twist requires balance and stability to perform the exercise correctly. This can help improve balance and stability in other activities, such as running, jumping, and playing sports. 

Russian twists can help improve balance by engaging the core muscles and working them to maintain a stable position while twisting side to side. The movement also requires the body to stay in alignment and balance while twisting, thus helping to improve overall balance.

Injury Prevention

Strengthening the core muscles can help prevent injuries in the hips, lower back, and abdomen. Stronger core muscles can help support the spine and improve posture, which can reduce the risk of injury. 

Russian twists can help reduce the risk of certain types of lower back injuries, such as herniated discs, by strengthening the core muscles that support the spine. The core muscles, including the abdominals, obliques, and lower back muscles, are engaged as you twist from side to side. This helps to stabilize the spine and protect it from sudden movements or impacts that can cause injury.

Flexibility

The Russian twist is a great exercise for increasing flexibility in the spine and hips. It can help reduce stiffness and pain in the lower back, which can lead to improved mobility and range of motion. Russian twists can help improve core strength, stability, and balance, but they do not directly increase flexibility. 

If done correctly and consistently, they can help improve the flexibility of the spine and the muscles of the torso, but flexibility gains will be limited due to the nature of the exercise. For more direct improvements to flexibility, it is recommended to incorporate dynamic stretching exercises into your routine.

Exercise Variety

The Russian twist can be used to add variety to your workout routine. It can be used as an abdominal exercise, a dynamic warm-up, or a cool-down exercise. It can also be used as part of a HIIT routine or as part of a circuit training workout. The Russian twist is a great exercise for working the abdominal muscles. It is an effective way to add variety to your workout routine, as it targets the oblique muscles, which are often neglected in traditional abdominal exercises. 

The Russian twist can also help improve rotational strength and core stability. This exercise can be performed with a medicine ball, dumbbell, or no added weight. It is a great way to challenge your abdominal muscles and help you reach your fitness goals.

How To Do A Russian Twist

You know the benefits of the Russian twist. Now that you decide to include a Russian twist in your daily workout routine, there is something you have to know, and that is the proper method of doing a Russian twist. The Russian twist is a great exercise for toning your core muscles and strengthening your obliques. It is an effective and simple move to add to any abdominal routine. This exercise can be done with a medicine ball, weight plate, or no equipment at all. 

To do the Russian twist:

  • Sit on the floor with your knees bent and your feet flat on the ground. 
  • Place your hands together in front of your chest and lean back slightly. 
  • Twist your torso from side to side, engaging your core muscles. 
  • Make sure to keep your back straight and your abs tight. Hold the twist for a few seconds, then return to the starting position. 
  • Repeat this movement for the desired amount of repetitions. 

What Is The Correct Method To Do Russian Twists?

Doing a Russian twist may sound easy and fun. But if you do it in the wrong manner, you might end up damaging your abdominal area. You need to keep yourself hydrated enough for the workout. Also, the Russian twist is a type of ab-cardio workout. Therefore, it is preferred that you do Russian twists empty stomach, mostly in the morning or in the evening 4 to 5 hours before your dinner. Also, make sure that you have appropriate clothes for the workout. You can consider using sports attire, shorts, tank tops, loose shirts, or a tracksuit.

Additionally, do keep in mind to wear stretchable lower. For Russian twists. You must have a yoga mat or workout mat to do it. Now we will tell you the correct method to perform Russian twists.

Begin seated on the floor with your feet flat on the ground and your knees bent. Hold a medicine ball or weighted plate in front of your abdomen. 

Medicine balls are available both in online and offline markets. If you don’t have a medicine ball or weighted plate, you can use a filled water bottle. You can also begin your Russian twist workout with dumbells. In case you cannot arrange anything, then don’t worry, you can still perform Russian twists. You just have to imagine that you are holding something heavy and weighted in your hands.

Lean back slightly so your torso is at a 45-degree angle to the floor. Keep your back straight and your head and neck in line with your spine. This is your starting position. 

Maintaining your posture is extremely important to benefit from the workout. Stabilizing your body at 45 degrees might be tough to maintain at the beginning. But the more you try to achieve it, the better your performance will be. Therefore, try as much as possible to extend your back and make it straight. Also, try to hold your body at 45 degree of angle.

Twist your torso to the right, bringing the medicine ball to the outside of your right hip. Make sure that your movement is gradual at first

Pause, then reverse the motion, twisting your torso to the left and bringing the medicine ball to the outside of your left hip. Change your positions gradually because any fast movement at first can create jerks in your body.

Continue alternating sides for the desired number of repetitions.Once you are aware of the movement and how to change positions in Russian twist, you can gradually increase the speed of your alteration.

It is suggested, that you perform a set of 10-15 Russian twists in the beginning. With time you can increase the number of reps and rotations.

The Russian twist is a great exercise to enhance your core strength and stomach build. Now you know the correct procedure to do it. Simple Russian twist exercises can be modified to increase the intensity of the workout you are doing. As you move from the beginner level to a more advanced level, you can try other variations of Russian twists to increase your power and strength.

Russian Twists with Variations

Every fitness freak would love to unlock new challenges as he or she escalates to a new level of workout. Russian twist can be performed with variations as well. Here’s how to do a Russian twist, as well as some variations for a more challenging workout. 

Traditional Russian twist

This exercise can be done in simple and easy steps and does not require any type of modified gym equipment. To do this exercise sit on the floor with your knees bent and feet flat. Next, you have to lean back slightly and raise your feet off the ground. 

Now place your hands together in front of your chest and twist your torso to the right side. Twist back to the center, then to the left side. Once you get hang of the movement, repeat it for 30 seconds to one minute, depending on your fitness level. 

Weighted Russian Twist

Weighted Russian twist is a very good abdomen workout. It benefits our bodies in several ways: 

  • Strengthens Core Muscles: The weighted Russian Twist is an effective core exercise that targets the muscles in the abdomen, lower back, and hips. 
  • Improves Balance and Coordination: Performing the Russian Twist with a weight in one hand will also help to improve balance and coordination. 
  • Strengthens Oblique Muscles: The weighted Russian Twist is an effective exercise for strengthening the oblique muscles in the sides of the abdomen. 
  • Improves Flexibility: The weighted Russian Twist is an effective exercise for increasing flexibility in the spine and hips. 
  • Improves Posture: Performing the weighted Russian Twist helps to improve posture by strengthening the core muscles.

You can perform weighted Russian twist in the following manner:

  • Begin seated, with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. 
  • Hold a weight in both hands and extend your arms straight out in front of your chest. 
  • Lean back slightly, engage your core and lift your feet off the floor. 
  • Twist your torso to the right as far as you can, keeping your arms extended and your back straight. 
  • Pause for a few seconds, then reverse the motion and twist to the left as far as you can. 
  • Continue alternating sides, keeping your core engaged the whole time. 
  • Stop when you’ve completed the desired number of repetitions.

Alternating Russian Twist

Instead of holding the weight in one place, alternate sides as you twist.

  • Strengthens the Core: Alternating Russian Twists are a great way to target and strengthen your core muscles, including the rectus abdominis, obliques, and transverse abdominis. 
  • Improves Balance and Coordination: By alternating between twisting to the right and left, you will be engaging muscles on both sides of your body, which can help to improve your balance and coordination. 
  • Enhances Mobility: This exercise is also great for increasing your range of motion, as it requires you to move from side to side. This will help to improve your mobility and stability. 4. Increases Endurance: Russian Twists are a great way to increase your muscular endurance, as you’ll be engaging your core muscles for an extended period of time. 
  • Enhances Posture: By engaging your core muscles, you’ll be helping to improve your posture and back strength.

To do alternating Russian twists, you need to follow the below instructions.

  • Start in a seated position with your knees bent, feet flat on the floor, and your back slightly arched. 
  • Engage your core and lift your feet off the floor. 
  • Holding onto a medicine ball (or a weight plate), twist your torso to the left and then back to the center. 
  • Twist to the right and back to the center. 
  • Continue alternating sides for the desired amount of reps.

Reverse Russian Twist

Instead of twisting to the sides, twist your torso to the front and back. Muscles Worked The Russian twist mainly works the abdominal muscles, including the rectus abdominis, transverse abdominis, and obliques. It also works the hip flexors and helps build stability in the torso.

The other benefits of the reverse Russian twist include:

  • Strengthens the Core and Abdominal Muscles: The reverse Russian twist is an excellent way to work the core and abdominal muscles, including the obliques, rectus abdominis, and transverse abdominis. 
  • Increases Spinal Mobility: This exercise also helps to increase spinal mobility, as it works the muscles and ligaments around the spine to help improve flexibility and range of motion.
  • Improves Balance and Coordination: This exercise helps to improve balance and coordination, as it requires the body to stabilize and control the movement of the torso to keep the legs off the ground. 
  • Enhances Performance in Other Exercises: The reverse Russian twist can also help to enhance performance in other exercises, such as squats, deadlifts, and overhead presses.

The procedure of reverse Russian twist is very simple. You can perform it in simple steps.

  • First sit on the floor with bend knees. Make sure your feet are flat to the ground.
  • Next you have to lean back slightly and lift your feet off the ground. Make sure that you feel balancing your tailbone correctly.
  • The place of your hands would be behind your head with your elbows out to the sides. 
  • The main movement starts when you twist your torso to the right. Complementary to this movement is second movement which involves you bringing your left elbow towards your right knee. 
  • Once you get a hand of the movement, return to the initial position you had started with. Now all you have to do is repeat the above steps with the left side.
  • For beginners you can continue alternating sides for at least ten number of repetitions

Dumbbell Russian Twist

You can add a good variation to your Russian twist by exercising with dumbbells. This set of exercises will benefit you in the following ways:

  • Core Strength: The Dumbbell Russian Twist strengthens your core muscles, including your abdominals, obliques, and lower back. 
  • Balance: Since you are using a dumbbell for this exercise, you need to maintain your balance. This helps to build stability and coordination. 
  • Posture: The Russian Twist helps to improve your posture by strengthening your core muscles and improving your balance. 
  • Flexibility: This exercise can help to increase your flexibility as you twist your torso from side to side. 
  • Weight Loss: The Russian Twist can help to burn calories and fat, making it an effective exercise for weight loss. 
  • Improved Coordination: This exercise requires you to coordinate your arms and legs, which can help to increase your coordination. 

To perform Russian twist with dumbells, you need to follow the below-mentioned procedure:

  • Sit on the ground with your legs bent and feet flat on the floor. 
  • Hold a dumbbell in both hands, arms extended in front of your chest. 
  • The degree of your body with respect to the ground is important, and that is 45 degrees. You can achieve this by slightly leaning back on your torso. Now move your torso to the right to touch the dumbbell to the floor. 
  • Return to the center, then rotate to the left and touch the dumbbell to the floor.

Medicine Ball Russian Twist

Doing a Russian twist with a medicine ball can benefit your body in several ways:

  • Strengthens the core and abdominal muscles: Medicine ball Russian twists are an effective exercise to target the abdominal muscles, obliques, and core. This helps to build strength and endurance in these muscles, which is important for overall core stability and balance. 
  • Improves coordination and balance: The medicine ball Russian twist is also a great exercise for improving coordination and balance. By having to twist and balance the medicine ball, it challenges your body to coordinate and stabilize in different positions. 
  • Enhances core stability: This exercise helps to build strength in the core muscles, which helps to improve overall core stability. This is important for activities such as running, jumping, lifting, and other daily activities. 
  • Can be adapted for different fitness levels: The medicine ball Russian twist can be adapted for different fitness levels by adjusting the weight, number of repetitions, and speed of the exercise. This makes it a great exercise for beginners and more advanced fitness levels. 

Doing a Russian twist with a medicine ball is very easy:

  • Sit on the ground with your legs bent and feet flat on the floor. 
  • Hold a medicine ball in both hands, arms extended in front of your chest. 
  • Lean back slightly so your torso is at a 45-degree angle to the floor, then twist your torso to the right and touch the medicine ball to the floor. 
  • Return to the center, then rotate to the left and touch the medicine ball to the floor.

Single Arm Russian Twist

This is one of the most interesting variations of the Russian twist. The benefits of single arm Russian twist are:

  • Improves Core Strength: The single-arm Russian twist is an excellent way to work your core muscles and build strength in the abdominal and oblique muscles.
  • Improves Balance and Stability: The single-arm Russian twist is a great way to challenge and improve your balance and stability. 
  • Improves Posture: Performing the single-arm Russian twist regularly can help improve your posture by strengthening the core muscles and helping to maintain a good posture. 
  • Improves Spinal Mobility: The single-arm Russian twist is an effective way to improve the mobility of the spine and help to increase the range of motion in the spine.
  • Improves Athletic Performance: The single-arm Russian twist can help increase power and speed in athletes, as it helps to strengthen the core muscles and improve balance. 

To perform the single-arm Russian twist following steps:

  • Sit on the ground with your legs bent and feet flat on the floor. 
  • Hold a weight plate in one hand and extend the other arm out to the side. 
  • Next you have to lean on your torso and then lift your legs up a little bit to form an angle around 45 degrees with the ground. Now just like you perform the normal Russian twist, start your routine by twisting your torso to the right. Finally, your exercise will complete by touching the weight plate placed on the floor. 
  • Return to the center, then rotate to the left and touch the weight plate to the floor.

Conclusion

Russian twist is a good exercise that you can include in your everyday cardio workout. It helps you strengthen your core, abdominal muscles, and overall body strength.


         

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