Appears in642 Workouts*

Standing Ab Twist

Tone your core with Standing Ab Twists! A simple, yet effective exercise targeting your obliques for a stronger midsection.

The Standing Ab Twist mainly works the core, with help from the back. No equipment needed: it uses just your bodyweight.

Standing Ab Twist demo video 2
Ms. Grey
JustGains_XX
@JustGains_XX

Standing Ab Twist Muscles Worked

Primary

Obliques; Abdominals (rectus abdominis)

Secondary

Deep Core (transverse abdominis); Boxer Muscle (serratus anterior)

How to do the Standing Ab Twist

  1. Start by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart. Your knees should be slightly bent to maintain balance and protect your joints.

  2. Extend your arms directly in front of you at shoulder height, with your palms facing inward and your fingers interlaced or just touching.

  3. Brace your core and pull your belly button in towards your spine to stabilize your midsection before starting the movement.

  4. Rotate your upper body to the right, twisting at the waist while keeping your hips facing forward. Your head should turn along with your torso, ensuring your hands remain aligned with your shoulders.

  5. Pause momentarily when you've twisted as far as your flexibility allows without straining.

  6. Rotate back to the center and then twist to the left side, again pausing briefly at the extent of your motion.

  7. Alternate the twists on both sides for the desired number of repetitions or for a specific time period, such as 30 seconds to 1 minute.

  8. Make sure the motion is controlled throughout the exercise to prevent any jerky movements which could lead to injury.

  9. Breathe naturally as you twist, exhaling during the twist and inhaling as you return to the center.

Remember to keep the movement smooth without any jerks, and do not over-rotate beyond your comfortable range of motion. This exercise is effective for engaging the core and particularly the oblique muscles on the sides of the abdomen.

---

Standing Ab Twist FAQs

What muscles does the Standing Ab Twist work?

The Standing Ab Twist mainly works the core, with help from the back. The main muscles are the obliques and rectus abdominis.

What equipment do you need for the Standing Ab Twist?

None. The Standing Ab Twist is a bodyweight exercise, so you can do it anywhere.

What are some Standing Ab Twist variations and alternatives?

Similar exercises include the Ab Toe-Tap Twist, Twisting Air Crunch, Alternating Side Oblique Reach Twist Pulse and Arm Torso Extension Twist.

Training calculators

Work out the numbers behind your training before your next session.