Russian Twist vs Plank Push Up
Which one fits your Core workout plan?
Contents
Planfit users log Russian Twist more often — 2,072 sessions vs 311. Compare Core form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Compare the benefits of Russian Twist and Plank Push Up and pick the one that fits your Core workout.
Russian Twist vs Plank Push Up: Which Do Planfit Users Choose?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Russian Twist more often — 2,072 sessions compared to 311 for Plank Push Up.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Russian Twist and Plank Push Up differ in the muscles they work, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.
How Russian Twist and Plank Push Up Differ
| What differs | Russian Twist | Plank Push Up |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | abs | abs, chest, and triceps |
| Difficulty | 2 of 5 | 4 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 2,072 sessions | 311 sessions |
How to Do Russian Twist
Russian Twist Muscles Worked: Core
Form
- 1. Sit with your knees raised and slightly lean your upper body back.
- 2. Bring your hands together at your chest and twist your upper body as if your elbows are touching your thighs.
- 3. Repeat the movement while maintaining tension in your abdomen.
Coach's Tips
- 1. When twisting your body, keep your knees fixed and make sure your feet do not lift off the floor.
- 2. Rather than excessively twisting your lower back, use your abdominal muscles to rotate your upper body to the side. Be careful not to bend or arch your lower back.
For a full Russian Twist guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Russian Twist exercise guide.
How to Do Plank Push Up
Plank Push Up Muscles Worked: Core
Form
- 1. Take the push-up starting position with your arms wider than your shoulders and your feet about hip-width apart.
- 2. Bend one arm and touch the floor with your elbow, then do the same with the opposite arm.
- 3. When lowering your arms, engage your core tightly and maintain a straight line from your head, through your back, to your legs.
- 4. Push up one arm at a time and return to the starting position.
Coach's Tips
- If your elbows touch the floor, you may experience pain, so I recommend placing a mat or something similar on the floor while exercising.
For a full Plank Push Up guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Plank Push Up exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Core, Russian Twist or Plank Push Up?
Planfit users log Russian Twist more often — 2,072 sessions against 311 for Plank Push Up. Both train Core, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
Do Russian Twist and Plank Push Up work the same muscles?
Not quite. Russian Twist loads abs, and Plank Push Up loads abs, chest, and triceps.
What equipment do Russian Twist and Plank Push Up need?
Russian Twist needs bodyweight only, and Plank Push Up needs bodyweight only.
Which is easier to start with?
Russian Twist is the easier place to start. Move to Plank Push Up once your form holds up.
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