Muscle Groups Involved

• Abs/Core - Primary
• Obliques - Primary

Category

Bodyweight

Highlights

• Sit "tall" on the edge of a bench.
• Lean back slightly to better engage your core.
• "Wring out the towel" - squeeze hard. Do not twist fast, using inertia.
• Think "proud chest" and do not allow your spine to flex or slouch.

Description

The Seated Abdominal Twist is an old school core exercise intended to carve out a tight waist. To perform the Seated Abdominal Twist start in a seated position with a dowel or broomstick placed ov

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The Seated Abdominal Twist is an old school core exercise intended to carve out a tight waist. To perform the Seated Abdominal Twist start in a seated position with a dowel or broomstick placed over your shoulders as in a squat. Place your hands out to a comfortable width on the bar. Start the movement by sitting up tall. Brace your abdominals and obliques and turn to one side. Squeeze hard as you twist. Pause briefly and then return to the starting position before turning to the opposite side. Repeat the desired number of repetitions.

Common Mistakes

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Do not round your back. Do not bounce off the sides. Instead, intentionally squeeze your core muscles forcefully as you twist your torso.

Pro Tips

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Picture a string attached to the top of your head pulling you up towards the ceiling to sit tall and increase the effectiveness of this exercise. Using a shorter range of motion but focusing on the contraction can improve the effects of this exercise as well.

Purpose

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This exercise is reputed to “pull the waist” inwards creating a V taper or hourglass figure.

Form

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Be sure to sit tall throughout the exercise and do not round at any point to increase the abdominal contraction.

Additional Names

Barbell Twist, Bar Twist, Tummy Twist