The cable trunk twist is a great exercise that can help strengthen the muscles of the lower back and abdominal region. Be sure to use care when setting up the cable machine in order to achieve optimal results. For an extra kick, try incorporating a Bosu into your workout.

About the Cable Trunk Twist

The cable trunk twist is a great exercise to add to any workout. This exercise is specifically designed to strengthen the abdominal and oblique muscles, but can also add muscle tone and increased strength to the muscles of the lower back. This is a great exercise for people who are looking for a new type of abdominal workout, are trying to recover from a lower back injury or are wanting to add definition to their oblique muscles.

Positioning Your Body

In order to properly perform a cable trunk twist, you must first set up the equipment in the right manner. Find a high quality cable machine, and move one of the arms of the cable machine so that it is positioned at a height similar to that of your shoulders. Stand with your back to the cable machine, with your feet spaced one foot apart from each other and your toes pointing forward. Reach both arms over to one of the cable handles, for example the handle on the right side of your body. Your left arm should be extending across the front of your body, with both hands firmly holding the handle. Your torso should be twisted slightly, pointed in the direction of the cable handle.

Performing a Cable Trunk Twist

Take a few deep breaths. Look at your hands, and as you exhale, carefully twist your torso, keeping your arms straight and bringing your body back into proper alignment. You should now be standing tall in front of the cable machine with your spine straight and your arms extended in front of your body, still holding onto the cable handle. Slowly twist back to the original position. Perform this exercise 10 times before taking a short break, and then do another 2 sets. Perform 3 sets of 10 repetitions with the arms across the opposite side of the body.

Increasing the Intensity of the Cable Trunk Twist

Once the basic exercise becomes too easy, it's important to shake it up in order to maintain progress. To make the basic cable trunk twist more difficult, try performing it with your eyes closed. This forces the muscles in your core to work much harder, thereby increasing the intensity of the exercise. In addition, increasing the number of repetitions that are performed in each set will also increase the difficulty.