10 Best Barbell Seated Twist Alternatives for Core Strength

Ranked Barbell Seated Twist Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Barbell Seated Twist on movement pattern, muscles worked, equipment and body position. The higher the score, the less you change. Open "How to perform this exercise" on a card for the steps; every card title links to that exercise's own alternatives page.

1. Best match

   Play demonstration

   1. Incline Twisting Sit-up

   77% match

   • Abs
   • Bodyweight
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   Use this when you have nothing to train with, because it works the abs with bodyweight alone.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Set up an incline bench at a 45-degree angle.
   2. Lie down on the bench with your feet secured under the foot pads.
   3. Place your hands behind your head or across your chest.
   4. Engage your abs and lift your upper body off the bench, curling forward.
   5. As you curl up, twist your torso to one side, bringing your elbow towards the opposite knee.
   6. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower your upper body back down to the starting position.
   7. Repeat the movement, this time twisting your torso to the other side.
   8. Continue alternating sides for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: abs, the same as the Barbell Seated Twist
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
   • Body position: lying on your back, not seated
2. Play demonstration

   2. Hanging Straight Twisting Leg Hip Raise

   77% match

   • Abs
   • Bodyweight
   • Advanced
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Hang from a pull-up bar with your arms fully extended and your legs straight.
   2. Engage your core and lift your legs up towards your chest, keeping them straight.
   3. Once your legs are parallel to the ground, twist your hips to one side, bringing your legs towards that side.
   4. Pause for a moment, then return to the starting position.
   5. Repeat the movement, but this time twist your hips to the opposite side.
   6. Continue alternating sides for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: abs, the same as the Barbell Seated Twist
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
   • Body position: hanging, not seated
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Barbell Seated Twist
3. Play demonstration

   3. Crab Twist Toe Touch

   74% match

   • Abs
   • Bodyweight
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   Pick this when you want a harder single-leg version that still works the abs.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Start by sitting on the ground with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor.
   2. Place your hands behind you, fingers pointing towards your feet, and lift your hips off the ground.
   3. Extend one leg straight out in front of you while simultaneously reaching your opposite hand towards your toes.
   4. Return to the starting position and repeat on the other side.
   5. Continue alternating sides for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps on each side.

   Why this matches

   • Movement: anti-rotation twist, the same as the Barbell Seated Twist
   • Primary muscle: abs, the same as the Barbell Seated Twist
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
   • Body position: seated, the same as the Barbell Seated Twist
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Barbell Seated Twist
4. Play demonstration

   4. Spine Twist

   74% match

   • Abs
   • Bodyweight
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   Pick this when you want an easier version that works the abs one side at a time.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Sit on the ground with your legs extended in front of you.
   2. Bend your knees and place your feet flat on the ground, hip-width apart.
   3. Place your hands behind your head with your elbows pointing outwards.
   4. Engage your abs and slowly twist your torso to the right, bringing your right elbow towards your left knee.
   5. Pause for a moment at the end of the twist, then slowly return to the starting position.
   6. Repeat the twist to the left side, bringing your left elbow towards your right knee.
   7. Continue alternating sides for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps on each side, and add reps before you add load.

   Why this matches

   • Movement: anti-rotation twist, the same as the Barbell Seated Twist
   • Primary muscle: abs, the same as the Barbell Seated Twist
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
   • Body position: seated, the same as the Barbell Seated Twist
5. Play demonstration

   5. Side Hip (On Parallel Bars)

   73% match

   • Abs
   • Bodyweight
   • Advanced
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Stand between two parallel bars with your feet shoulder-width apart.
   2. Place your hands on the bars and lift your body off the ground, supporting your weight on your arms.
   3. Engage your abs and slowly lift your legs to the side, keeping them straight.
   4. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower your legs back down to the starting position.
   5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: abs, the same as the Barbell Seated Twist
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
   • Body position: hanging, not seated
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Barbell Seated Twist
6. Play demonstration

   6. V-sit On Floor

   71% match

   • Abs
   • Bodyweight
   • Advanced
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Sit on the floor with your legs extended in front of you.
   2. Lean back slightly and lift your legs off the ground, keeping them straight.
   3. Simultaneously, lift your upper body off the ground and reach your arms towards your legs.
   4. Hold this position for a few seconds, then slowly lower your upper body and legs back down to the starting position.
   5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Movement: anti-rotation hold, not anti-rotation twist
   • Primary muscle: abs, the same as the Barbell Seated Twist
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
   • Body position: seated, the same as the Barbell Seated Twist
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Barbell Seated Twist
7. Play demonstration

   7. Russian Twist

   71% match

   • Abs
   • Bodyweight
   • Intermediate
   • Isolation

   Pick this when you want a harder version that works the abs one side at a time.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Sit on the ground with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor.
   2. Lean back slightly while keeping your back straight and your core engaged.
   3. Hold your hands together in front of your chest or hold a weight if desired.
   4. Lift your feet off the ground, balancing on your sit bones.
   5. Twist your torso to the right, bringing your hands or weight towards the right side of your body.
   6. Pause for a moment, then twist your torso to the left, bringing your hands or weight towards the left side of your body.
   7. Continue alternating sides for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps on each side.

   Why this matches

   • Movement: anti-rotation twist, the same as the Barbell Seated Twist
   • Primary muscle: abs, the same as the Barbell Seated Twist
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
   • Body position: seated, the same as the Barbell Seated Twist
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Barbell Seated Twist
8. Play demonstration

   8. Seated Side Crunch (Wall)

   70% match

   • Abs
   • Bodyweight
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Sit on the floor with your back against a wall and your legs extended in front of you.
   2. Bend your knees and place your feet flat on the floor, hip-width apart.
   3. Place your hands behind your head with your elbows pointing outwards.
   4. Engage your abs and lean to one side, bringing your elbow towards your hip.
   5. Pause for a moment, then return to the starting position.
   6. Repeat on the other side.
   7. Continue alternating sides for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps on each side, and add reps before you add load.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: abs, the same as the Barbell Seated Twist
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
   • Body position: seated, the same as the Barbell Seated Twist
9. Play demonstration

   9. Flexion Leg Sit Up (Bent Knee)

   68% match

   • Abs
   • Bodyweight
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Lie flat on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the ground.
   2. Place your hands behind your head with your elbows pointing outwards.
   3. Engaging your abs, slowly lift your upper body off the ground, curling forward until your torso is at a 45-degree angle.
   4. At the same time, lift your legs off the ground, bending your knees and bringing them towards your chest.
   5. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower your upper body and legs back down to the starting position.
   6. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps, and add reps before you add load.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: abs, the same as the Barbell Seated Twist
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
   • Body position: lying on your back, not seated
10. Play demonstration

    10. Flexion Leg Sit Up (Straight Arm)

    68% match

    • Abs
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Isolation

    How to perform this exercise

    1. Lie flat on your back with your legs extended and arms straight above your head.
    2. Engaging your abs, lift your upper body off the ground while simultaneously lifting your legs towards your chest.
    3. Reach your hands towards your toes as you lift your upper body and legs.
    4. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower your upper body and legs back down to the starting position.
    5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

    Why this matches

    • Primary muscle: abs, the same as the Barbell Seated Twist
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: lying on your back, not seated