TETSUAssisted Motion Russian Twist vs Inchworm
The Assisted Motion Russian Twist and the Inchworm both train the abs as their primary muscle. The Assisted Motion Russian Twist uses a medicine ball while the Inchworm is bodyweight-only. Here is how they compare and when to pick each.
Side-by-side comparison
| Assisted Motion Russian Twist | Inchworm | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary muscle | abs | abs |
| Body part | waist | waist |
| Supporting muscles | obliques and lower back | shoulders and hamstrings |
| Equipment | medicine ball | bodyweight |
| Steps in our guide | 6 | 6 |
How each one starts
Assisted Motion Russian Twist — first steps
- Sit on the ground with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor.
- Hold the medicine ball with both hands in front of your chest.
Inchworm — first steps
- Start in a standing position with your feet hip-width apart.
- Bend forward at the waist and place your hands on the ground in front of you.
Full step-by-step guides are linked below.
Which should you choose?
The Assisted Motion Russian Twist suits explosive, power-focused reps. The Inchworm needs no equipment and scales through leverage, tempo and reps. If your gym has both options, neither is a wrong choice: pick the one that feels strongest through a full range, and swap after 6 to 8 weeks to keep the abs adapting.
Full form guides
Common questions
Is the Assisted Motion Russian Twist better than the Inchworm?
Neither is universally better — both train the abs as the primary mover. The Assisted Motion Russian Twist suits explosive, power-focused reps, while the Inchworm needs no equipment and scales through leverage, tempo and reps. Choose based on your equipment and which movement you can progress consistently.
Can I do both the Assisted Motion Russian Twist and the Inchworm in the same program?
Yes, but usually not in the same session — they overlap heavily on the abs. A common setup is one as your main movement and the other on a second training day, or alternating them block by block.
Do the Assisted Motion Russian Twist and the Inchworm work the same muscles?
The primary muscle is the same: the abs. Supporting muscles differ slightly — obliques and lower back for the Assisted Motion Russian Twist versus shoulders and hamstrings for the Inchworm.
Track it in Tetsu
Tetsu tracks both movements separately, keeps your PRs per exercise, and tells you which one is actually progressing. Free to start.