How to do Russian Twist

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RC5nI0hDt50[/youtube]

From the name of the exercise, the Russian twist’s main movement would involve primarily twisting your torso to develop muscles mostly in your obliques. Not all stomach exercises give your obliques equal opportunity as your abs to be strengthened. This exercise is certainly one of those that do.

The great thing about this workout is that you have the freedom not just to choose your desired weight but you can use whatever weights you are most comfortable with. Whatever added weight you put in while performing this twisting motion across your abdomen serves to increase challenge and resistance to this exercise.

Because your back should be kept straight while doing the twist, the Russian Twist is also able to further apply pressure on your lower back, effectively strengthening it and helping improve your posture over time.

Do not be tempted to do this exercise in quick motions as you move from left to right. The secret to getting the Russian Twist to work fully is to do it slowly and deliberately while focusing on your breathing. This gives your obliques sufficient time to deeply contract.

The Russian Twist is certainly a good complement to your other abs exercises that provides overall upper body conditioning.

Instructions

Preparation

  1. Choose a challenging weight you’d like to work with (e.g. barbell weight plate, dumbbell, exercise ball, medicine ball) and hold it with both hands directly in front of your chest, elbows bent.
  2. Sit down on the edge of an exercise bench or any other similar elevated flat surface.

Execution

1.     Lean back slightly while keeping your abdominal muscles taut.

2.     Raise both feet off the floor, keeping your knees bent and close together at all times.

3.     Twist your upper body from left to right, twisting your hand-held weight toward the same direction simultaneously.

Return

Sit up straight and touch your feet back to the ground.

Repeat

 
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