A twist board is a round platform on which you stand and perform exercises while twisting from side to side. Similar to a wobble board, a twist board works core muscles involved in maintaining balance. You can find twist boards at some gyms, or you can purchase one to use at home.
Start a twist board workout slowly and build up workout intensity as you grow accustomed to the equipment. Twist board exercises have several benefits, such as strengthening your core — which can help prevent back injury, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Video of the Day
Video of the Day
Tip
Using a twist board can strengthen your core muscles and improve your balance. Use caution and keep your core muscles engaged to help avoid injury to your low back.
Twist Board and Core Strength
Your body's core provides stability and strength for all other movement. A strong core helps you excel in athletic pursuits while decreasing your chances of injury. The spine, hips, abdomen and pelvis make up the core.
Exercising on a twist board can help strengthen muscles in these areas by engaging the muscles to help you balance, even as you perform exercises to focus on other specific areas of the body.
When you stand on an unstable surface, such as a twist board or balance board, you engage muscles throughout your core to help you maintain your balance, as demonstrated by ExRx.net. Think about trying to keep your balance as you cross a stream on uneven, slippery rocks.
Your abdominals and glutes tighten, and you focus more on keeping your spine, hips and pelvis in line to maintain your balance. Even if you're performing other twister exercises while on the twist board, your core muscles remain engaged.
Try It Out
Take the time to master basic form on the twist board before attempting to add resistance.
- Stand on the twist board and balance. Hold your arms out to your sides if you need to in order to maintain balance.
- Twist your torso 45 degrees to the left and hold for 10 seconds.
- Return to facing forward.
- Repeat the movement to the right.
As you gain proficiency, you can repeat this movement holding light hand weights. This exercise targets the oblique muscles, the muscles at the sides of your torso.
You can also perform squats while balancing on the wobble board, with or without weights, or stand on the twist board, maintaining your balance, while you perform simple arm curls or hammer curls with weights. This allows you to work your upper body and your core at the same time.
Protect Your Back
Twisting too far places tension on the lower back and could result in injury, especially if you've had back problems in the past. Don't twist too far and do the same number of repetitions on each side.
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, twisting the spine improperly is one common cause of low back pain. Before you attempt a new exercise on the twist board, practice until you are proficient standing on a stable surface.