Exercise guide
Twist Front Raise
- Beginner
- Isolation
- Rep-based
- Shoulders
- Waist
This compound bodyweight movement integrates lower body stability with upper body rotation to target the core and shoulders while improving coordination. It effectively engages the obliques and deltoids through a functional rotational pattern that mimics real-world movement.
Reviewed by the Crucible team · Updated June 2026
Muscles worked
Setup
- Stand with your feet hip-width apart and arms resting at your sides.
- Engage your core and maintain an upright posture with your shoulders pulled back and down.
- Keep a slight, athletic bend in your knees to allow for fluid movement.
How to do it
- Exhale as you raise both arms straight out in front of you to shoulder height while simultaneously rotating your torso to one side.
- As you twist, pivot on the ball of the trailing foot, lifting the heel to engage the calf and allow the hip to rotate.
- Inhale as you rotate back to the center and lower your arms with a controlled tempo.
- Repeat the movement on the opposite side, alternating directions for each repetition.
Form checklist
- Keep your arms parallel to the floor at the peak of the movement.
- Ensure the pivot comes from the ball of the foot to protect your knee joint.
- Maintain a tall, vertical spine without leaning forward or backward during the twist.
- Keep your core braced as if preparing for a light impact to maximize oblique activation.
Pro tips
- Initiate the rotation from your midsection (obliques) rather than just swinging your arms to ensure core engagement.
- Squeeze your quadriceps and glutes at the peak of the rotation to create total-body tension and stability.
Make it harder
- Hold a light household object or water bottle in both hands to increase the lever length and resistance.
- Incorporate a shallow squat between each alternating twist to increase the demand on the quadriceps and glutes.
Frequently asked
- What muscles does the twist front raise work?
- The twist front raise primarily targets the abs, deltoids, and obliques, and also works the serratus anterior and trapezius as secondary muscles.
- What equipment do you need for the twist front raise?
- The twist front raise requires no equipment — just your body weight.
- Is the twist front raise good for beginners?
- Yes. The twist front raise is a beginner-friendly movement and a strong foundation to build on.
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