All Exercises

Dumbbell Russian Twist Close Grip Shoulder Press Sit-up

Master this challenging compound movement combining a sit-up, Russian twist, and close grip shoulder press.

Advanced
Compound
Push
2 min per set1 min rest

Description

A compound exercise that targets the abs, obliques, deltoids, and triceps. It involves a sit-up with a Russian twist followed by a close grip shoulder press.

How to Do Dumbbell Russian Twist Close Grip Shoulder Press Sit-up

  1. 1
    Setup

    Lie supine on a mat with your knees bent, feet flat on the floor hip-width apart, and a dumbbell held vertically with both hands close to your chest.

  2. 2

    Engage your core to sit up, lifting your torso until it is upright and perpendicular to the floor, keeping the dumbbell at your chest.

  3. 3

    Once upright, perform a Russian twist by rotating your torso to one side, then immediately to the other, ensuring the rotation comes from your waist and not just your arms.

  4. 4

    After the twist, press the dumbbell straight overhead, fully extending your arms with a close grip, engaging your shoulders and triceps.

  5. 5

    Slowly reverse the movement by lowering the dumbbell back to your chest, then control your descent back to the starting supine position on the mat.

Tips

  • Maintain constant core engagement throughout the entire movement, from the sit-up to the press and back down, to protect your spine and maximize muscle activation.
  • Perform each phase of the exercise with control, avoiding momentum, especially during the sit-up and descent, to ensure proper muscle engagement and minimize injury risk.
  • Exhale as you sit up and press the dumbbell overhead, then inhale as you lower the dumbbell and return to the starting position to support core stability.
  • During the Russian twist portion, keep the dumbbell close to your chest to maintain leverage and focus the rotational effort on your obliques, rather than straining your shoulders.

Common Mistakes

  • ×Arching the back or swinging the dumbbell to complete the sit-up or press reduces core engagement; instead, use controlled abdominal strength to lift and press.
  • ×Failing to achieve full spinal flexion during the sit-up or full lockout during the press limits range of motion; fully extend your arms overhead and lower your torso completely to the mat.
  • ×Performing a shallow or jerky twist compromises oblique activation; slow down the twist, rotating fully from your torso while keeping hips relatively stable.

Variations

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