Is the Russian twists a good ab exercise vs any other?
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July 16, 2009 at 9:55 pm
When correctly performed most every abdominal exercise can help to develop a strong core. The thing about the Russian Twist is it is not a movement which isolates an abdominal group; it engages the obliques (internal and external), lower abs, spinal erectors, and the transverse muscles for stabilization. A good point of this exercise is it encourages flexibility. I haven’t crossed a person yet who was satisfied using a short range of motion.
This and similar exercises are good to include in a program if it will improve your performance in a sport. For bodybuilding, the muscles the Russian Twist work is important when lifting only free-weights. Notice how some people can lift so much more on the Lying T-Bar Row versus any Bent-Over Barbell/Dumbbell Row. In bent over exercises these muscles are used to stabilize the upper body, and if lacking the strengthening of the middle back later becomes dependent on the strength of the bodybuilder’s core.
My opinion is Russian Twists are ‘as good’ as any other core exercise, but not necessarily better. Other opinions will vary…