Twisting Sit-up

The Twisting Sit-up primarily works the External Obliques, with secondary activation of the Iliopsoas, Rectus Abdominis, Rectus Femoris, Sartorius, Tensor Fasciae Latae and stabilizer support from the Tibialis Anterior. It is a bodyweight compound exercise at intermediate difficulty.

A bodyweight compound pull exercise targeting the External Obliques.

EquipmentBodyweight
DifficultyIntermediate
TypeCompound
MovementFlexion
ForcePull
LateralityBilateral
PrimaryExternal Obliques
SecondaryIliopsoas, Rectus Abdominis, Rectus Femoris, Sartorius, Tensor Fasciae Latae

Muscles Worked

Front
Back
Primary Secondary Stabilizer

Primary Muscles

Secondary Muscles

Stabilizer Muscles

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Place feet under foot bar or low overhanging stationary object. Lie supine on floor, mat, or sit-up bench with hips and knees bent. Place hands behind neck. Execution: Flex and twist waist to one direction while raising torso from bench by bending hips. Return until back of shoulders contact floor or mat. Repeat to opposite side alternating twists. Comments: Feet can be held down by partnerinstead of foot bar. Certain individuals may need to keep their neck in neutral position with space between their chin and sternum. If upper back does not come completely down at end of movement, abdominal muscles may only beisometricallyinvolved in exercise. Pectineus, Adductor Longus, and Brevis do not assist in hip flexion since hips are already initially bent. SeeSpot Reduction Myth.

Alternative Exercises

Get this data via the REST API or MCP Server.