Challenge your entire core, including internal and external obliques and the rectus abdominis, by adding some weight to the good old Russian twist. "You can use a dumbbell or medicine ball to complete this exercise," Chadwell told POPSUGAR.
- Sit on the ground with your knees bent.
- Your heels should be about two feet away from your butt.
- Keeping your back nice and flat, lean back slightly.
- Hold a medicine ball or dumbbell out in front of your chest, keeping your elbows slightly bent. The closer the weight is to your torso, the easier the exercise will be.
- Draw your belly button in toward your spine.
- Begin by twisting your torso slowly to the left as you move the weight. Your elbow will move down toward the floor. The momentum comes from the twisting action in your core, not from swinging your arms.
- Move back to the center and then rotate to your right side.
- This completes one repetition. Do a total of 10 to 15 repetitions (for a total of 20 to 30 alternating twists).
- Rest, and then complete two more sets.