The race to get fitter for the summer is on, but few people have free hours to dedicate to the gym.
Luckily, fitness pros have revealed the one exercise you should focus on if you’re looking for toned abs.
According to fitness duo Minny Hustlers – top personal trainers based in Minneapolis with 159,000 TikTok followers – that move is a Russian twist.
The exercise, which involves twisting your core while sitting on the floor and leaning back with your knees bent, targets the side obliques and deep core muscles, they say.
“It’s a move that’s great for everyone because you can modify it by keeping your feet on the ground for beginners or by lifting them up for an extra challenge,” says Lo Lundstrom, a certified personal trainer and half of the Minny Hustlers.
Other personal trainers have echoed this, including Peter Donohoe, a National Academy of Sports Medicine-certified personal trainer and core strength teacher at the Boston Ballet.
They recommend practicing the movement two to three times a week to see results.
“It’s a total core exercise that also improves your balance, builds stability in your spine and trims your midsection all in one go,” Donohoe shared Yahoo.
The experts say that unlike crunches and planks, Russian twists require you to use something called a transverse range of motion, or rotation. This strengthens a larger amount of muscles in the abdominal area.
As summer approaches, many will be looking to recreate the torn-off midsections of super-toned celebrities like Gigi Hadid.
Additionally, simply holding yourself up at an angle requires a lot of core strength, making the move useful for beginners as well.
The experts say the move can also serve as a leg workout, as variations involve moving the legs back and forth to strengthen the glute and thigh muscles.
Personal trainer Amanda Hoffman warns gym-goers not to push themselves too far with speed.
“Keep it slow, keep it under control,” she said. Other experts say it’s important to be aware of the risks to your lower back. If it feels sore or sore, stop, they say.