Core · Bodyweight
Arms-up Rotational Side Step
How to do the arms-up rotational side step, the muscles it works, and the mistakes to avoid. Pulled straight from the Kovo app's exercise library.
- Equipment
- Bodyweight
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Logged as
- Reps
- Movement
- Rotation
- Mechanic
- Compound
How to do it
Stand tall with both arms raised overhead. Step out to one side and rotate your torso over the lead leg, then step back and rotate the other way. Keep your arms up throughout to load the trunk.
- 1Feel your obliques control the rotation over each step
- 2Keep your arms tall overhead to challenge your core
- 3Stay balanced and grounded through the stepping foot
Common mistakes
- Do not let your arms drop as you rotate
- Avoid rounding or collapsing your trunk
- Do not rush; keep each rotation controlled
Muscles worked
The arms-up rotational side step mainly works the obliques, with the lower abs, upper abs, quads, glutes, and adductors assisting.
- ObliquesPrimary
- Lower AbsSupport
- Upper AbsSupport
- QuadsSupport
- GlutesSupport
- AdductorsSupport
- LatsMinor
- Lower BackMinor
- Upper TrapsMinor
- HamstringsMinor
- CalvesMinor
- Front DeltsMinor
- Side DeltsMinor
- Hip FlexorsMinor
Kovo programs the arms-up rotational side step for you and tracks it every session.
We build your whole program, drop the right lifts into each workout, and adjust your weights as you get stronger. Free on iOS and Android.
More abs & core exercises
- How to do the ab wheel rollout
- How to do the ankle tap plank
- How to do the ankle taps
- How to do the resistance band dead bugs
- How to do the resistance band pallof press
- How to do the rollout
Last reviewed June 2026.