Exercise Ball · Obliques
Russian Twist is the exercise ball exercise for the obliques in the GymStreak library: an isolation exercise, all intermediate level. The guide below links to step-by-step instructions and form tips.
Written by the GymStreak coaching teamUpdated
01
There are two layers: the external obliques, whose fibres run down and in like hands in your pockets, and the internal obliques underneath, running the opposite way. Working together with the other core muscles, they rotate the torso, bend it sideways and brace the spine.
02
With an exercise ball, keep it close to your body and turn from the torso rather than swinging the arms; move to a heavier ball only when the movement stays controlled. A small weighted ball is an easy way to add load to core exercises such as the Russian twist. It is cheap, compact and suits home workouts.
03
Pair one rotation exercise with one side-plank variation. Standing cable and woodchop patterns carry over well to sports that involve throwing, swinging or turning. Beginners can start with side planks and slow bodyweight twists before adding a cable, plate or ball.
BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced
Free GymStreak calculators that go with obliques training.
Guides from the GymStreak blog on this topic.
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