Core · Bodyweight
Standing Side Leg Lift Twist
How to do the standing side leg lift 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
- Compound
How to do it
Stand tall with your hands behind your head. Lift one leg out to the side while twisting your torso so the opposite elbow rotates toward the lifted leg. Lower and alternate, keeping your standing leg strong.
- 1Obliques rotating your torso toward the lifted leg
- 2Outer hip and glute lifting the leg to the side
- 3Balance controlled on the standing leg
Common mistakes
- Do not lean your torso away to hike the leg higher
- Avoid twisting only your arms without your trunk
- Do not let the standing knee buckle inward
Muscles worked
The standing side leg lift twist mainly works the obliques, with the upper abs, lower abs, glutes, and hip flexors assisting.
- ObliquesPrimary
- Upper AbsSupport
- Lower AbsSupport
- GlutesSupport
- Hip FlexorsSupport
- LatsMinor
- Lower BackMinor
- Upper TrapsMinor
- QuadsMinor
- HamstringsMinor
- CalvesMinor
- Side DeltsMinor
- AdductorsMinor
- Tibialis AnteriorMinor
Kovo programs the standing side leg lift 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.