Russian Twist

Setup

1. 01Sit on the floor holding a medicine ball at the chest.
2. 02Bend the knees and plant the heels lightly on the floor.
3. 03Lean the torso back to roughly 45 degrees and brace the trunk.
4. 04Hold the ball with both hands slightly in front of the sternum.

Execution

1. 01Rotate the torso to one side and bring the ball beside the hip.
2. 02Keep the chest tall and let the shoulders lead the rotation.
3. 03Rotate back through the center to the opposite side under control.
4. 04Continue alternating sides while holding the 45 degree lean.

Checkpoints

• -Rotation comes from the torso, not just the arms swinging.
• -The lean angle stays constant through the whole set.
• -Lower back stays neutral rather than fully rounded.
• -Both hips stay planted on the floor.

Common mistakes

• -Waving the ball side to side while the torso stays square.
• -Rounding the lower back as fatigue sets in.
• -Using momentum to whip through each rotation.
• -Tucking the chin and craning the neck toward the ball.