Cable Russian Twists
A beginner compound strength exercise that works the abs, using a cable machine.
Starting position
End position
How to Do Cable Russian Twists
- Connect a standard handle attachment, and position the cable to a middle pulley position.
- Lie on a stability ball perpendicular to the cable and grab the handle with one hand. You should be approximately arm's length away from the pulley, with the tension of the weight on the cable.
- Grab the handle with both hands and fully extend your arms above your chest. You hands should be directly in-line with the pulley. If not, adjust the pulley up or down until they are.
- Keep your hips elevated and abs engaged. Rotate your torso away from the pulley for a full-quarter rotation. Your body should be flat from head to knees.
- Pause for a moment and in a slow and controlled manner reset to the starting position. You should still have side tension on the cable in the resting position.
- Repeat the same movement to failure.
- Then, reposition and repeat the same series of movements on the opposite side.
Muscles Worked
Alternatives to Cable Russian Twists
10 movements that train the same primary muscle, closest substitutes first — same kind of training, then variations of the movement itself, then a similar difficulty.
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1
Kneeling Cable Crunch With Alternating Oblique Twists
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the abs, using a cable machine.
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2
Bosu Ball Cable Crunch With Side Bends
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the abs, using a cable machine.
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3
Cable Crunch
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the abs, using a cable machine.
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4
Cable Judo Flip
A beginner compound strength exercise that works the abs, using a cable machine.
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5
Cable Reverse Crunch
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the abs, using a cable machine.
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6
Cable Seated Crunch
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the abs, using a cable machine.
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7
One-Arm High-Pulley Cable Side Bends
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the abs, using a cable machine.
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8
Standing Cable Lift
A beginner compound strength exercise that works the abs, using a cable machine.
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9
Standing Cable Wood Chop
A beginner compound strength exercise that works the abs, using a cable machine.
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10
Crunches
Crunches are a classic abdominal exercise that isolates the rectus abdominis. When performed correctly, they're an effective way to build core strength and muscular endurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What muscles do cable russian twists work?
Cable Russian Twists primarily works the abs.
What equipment do I need for cable russian twists?
Cable Russian Twists uses cable machine.
Cable Russian Twists: is it suitable for beginners?
Yes. Cable Russian Twists is rated beginner. Movements you can learn in a session, with a low skill floor and a forgiving failure mode.
What can I do instead of cable russian twists?
Kneeling Cable Crunch With Alternating Oblique Twists, Bosu Ball Cable Crunch With Side Bends, Cable Crunch train the same primary muscles and are listed with 7 more alternatives above.
Can Fitnit count my cable russian twists reps automatically?
Not automatically yet. Fitnit's AI rep counting covers push-ups, squats, dumbbell curls, crunches and pull-ups today; cable russian twists can be logged manually in the app, and tracked movements are added over time.
Photographs and step-by-step instructions from free-exercise-db, a public-domain exercise dataset. Muscle mapping and alternatives by Fitnit.
Track Your Cable Russian Twists with AI
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