Core · Bodyweight
Sitting Russian Twist on a Chair
How to do the sitting russian twist on a chair, 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 tall on a chair and lean back slightly, clasping your hands together in front of your chest. Rotate your torso to one side, then the other, twisting from your core while keeping your hips planted on the seat.
- 1Feel your obliques engage as you rotate side to side
- 2Keep your spine tall and shoulders down as you twist
- 3Control the movement and keep tension in your core throughout
Common mistakes
- Don't rely on your arms; initiate the rotation from your torso
- Don't round your back or lean back too far
- Don't swing; slow down to stay in control
Muscles worked
The sitting russian twist on a chair mainly works the obliques, with the upper abs and lower abs assisting.
- ObliquesPrimary
- Upper AbsSupport
- Lower AbsSupport
- LatsMinor
- Lower BackMinor
- Upper TrapsMinor
- QuadsMinor
- GlutesMinor
- Side DeltsMinor
- Hip FlexorsMinor
Kovo programs the sitting russian twist on a chair 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.