Russian Twist vs Side Leg Raise
Maximizing Your Core Workout Plan
Contents
Planfit users log Russian Twist more often — 2,072 sessions vs 244. Compare Core form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Customize Your Core Workout: Explore the Benefits of Russian Twist and Side Leg Raise for Better Comparison.
Planfit Users' Choice about Russian Twist vs Side Leg Raise : Which is Better?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Russian Twist more often — 2,072 sessions compared to 244 for Side Leg Raise.
Popularity is not the whole answer. Russian Twist and Side Leg Raise differ in the muscles they load, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.
How Russian Twist and Side Leg Raise Differ
| What differs | Russian Twist | Side Leg Raise |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | abs | outer thighs and abs |
| One side at a time | No | Yes |
| Difficulty | 2 of 5 | 1 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 2,072 sessions | 244 sessions |
How to 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 Comment
- 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.
If you want to know a detailed guide to Russian Twist, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Russian Twist Guide page of our blog!
How to Side Leg Raise
Side Leg Raise muscles worked: Core
Form
- 1. Slowly lift your foot away from the floor.
- 2. Slowly return to the starting position.
Coach's Comment
- If it's too difficult, try doing it lying on your side without lifting your body.
If you want to know a detailed guide to Side Leg Raise, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Side Leg Raise Guide page of our blog!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Core, Russian Twist or Side Leg Raise?
Planfit users log Russian Twist more often — 2,072 sessions against 244 for Side Leg Raise. Both train Core, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
Do Russian Twist and Side Leg Raise work the same muscles?
Not quite. Russian Twist loads abs, and Side Leg Raise loads outer thighs and abs.
What equipment do Russian Twist and Side Leg Raise need?
Russian Twist needs bodyweight only, and Side Leg Raise needs bodyweight only.
Which is easier to start with?
Side Leg Raise is the easier place to start. Move to Russian Twist once your form holds up.
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