Core · Bodyweight
Russian Twist
How to do the russian twist, 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
- Isolation
How to do it
Sit on the floor with your knees bent and heels down or lifted for more challenge. Lean back slightly to engage your core, clasp your hands at your chest, and rotate your torso to tap toward the floor on one side, then the other. Keep the twist coming from your trunk.
- 1Your obliques driving the rotation from side to side
- 2A tall spine and braced core as you lean back
- 3Controlled, deliberate twists at the bottom of each turn
Common mistakes
- Do not just swing your arms; rotate from your trunk
- Avoid rounding your back or collapsing your chest
- Do not rush; keep each rep controlled
Muscles worked
The russian twist mainly works the obliques, with the upper abs, lower abs, lats, and side delts assisting.
- ObliquesPrimary
- Upper AbsSupport
- Lower AbsSupport
- LatsSupport
- Side DeltsSupport
- Upper TrapsMinor
- QuadsMinor
- GlutesMinor
Kovo programs the russian twist 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.