High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! The Russian Twist is a type of exercise that is used to work the abdomen muscles by performing a twisting motion on the abdomen. The exercise is believed by those who practice it to build explosiveness in the upper torso, which may help in sports such as baseball, track & field, hockey, golf, lacrosse, or boxing. Along with sit-ups and crunches, Russian Twists should be incorporated into a workout if one is trying to build abdomen muscles or obtain visible "six-packs". To perform the Russian Twist, first, one should lie down on the floor with knees bent like in a "sit-up" position. The feet should be kept together and slightly above the ground or put under a stable surface. The torso should be kept straight with the back is kept off the ground at a 45 degree angle. Arms should be held together away from the body in a straight fashion and hands are kept locked together like a ball or one can hold a weight to increase the difficulty. Next, the arms should be moved from one side to another in a twisting motion, with each swing to a side counting as one repetition.