Chair Russian Twists: how to do it

Chair Russian Twists

Moderate

Seated

Stomach & waist

Starts at 1:42 in “Lose Stubborn Tummy With This Seated Workout For Seniors Over 50”. The time is from YouTube's automatic chapters, so it may be a few seconds out.

What it is

Hands together in front of your chest, rotate side to side. One of the moves in our most-watched video.

How to do it

Sit tall, feet flat.
Bring your hands together in front of your chest, elbows bent.
Rotate your upper body to one side, then to the other.
Keep the movement controlled and your hips still.

Key tip: Move your shoulders and chest together. Don't just swing your arms.

Who should skip it, and why

You have osteoporosis or a past spine fracture and have been told to avoid twisting, or you had back surgery in the last few months. Twisting, especially quickly, puts extra load on the bones and discs of the spine.

Easier and harder versions

Easier: Rest your hands on your chest and make the turn smaller.
Harder: Lean back very slightly while you twist, keeping your back straight.

How much

In our videos each move runs for about 40 seconds with 20 seconds of rest. Start with less if you need to. Comfortable effort is the goal, not exhaustion.

Try it: 3 rounds of 40 seconds

Stop straight away and get help if you feel:

chest pain, pressure or tightness
dizziness, light-headedness or faintness
breathlessness that doesn't settle when you rest
sharp or joint pain, or pain that gets worse as you go
numbness, tingling, or a sudden severe headache

This is general exercise information, not medical advice. If you have a health condition, or you've had a fall, injury or surgery recently, check with your doctor or physiotherapist first.