This week’s workout is Mason Twists. Mason Twists are a great core exercise because they work your obliques and center abdominal muscles. Here’s how to do them:
- Start out sitting on the floor with your knees bent so that you can place your feet flat on the ground. (You may want to use a yoga mat or towel for extra padding.)
- Lean back so that your body is in a 45-degree angle, or until you start to feel your abdominal muscles tighten, while keeping your back straight. Raise your feet up until your lower legs are parallel to the floor.
- Balancing your weight on your glutes, bend your elbows and clasp your hands together in front of your chest.
- Twist your torso to the right side and try to bring your hands as close as you can to the floor. Move only your upper body while keeping your abdominals engaged throughout the motion.
- Finally, twist over to the left side and bring your hands toward the floor. Avoid using momentum – be sure to control the motion. To complete one set, continue twisting from the right to the left side.
- Try doing 2 sets of 30 twists (15 on each side).
For added difficulty, hold some weight (like a medicine ball or light dumbbell) in your hands while twisting. Try adding 10-15 Mason Twists to your sets each day this week!
We hope you’ll try Mason Twists over the weekend and then build them into your daily routine Monday through Friday of the coming week.
Want more fitness ideas? If you’re a Health Advocate member with access to the Wellness Coaching program, reach out to your Wellness Coach for more healthy ideas to get—and stay—fit. And remember, talk to your doctor before beginning any new fitness regimen.
