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Last updated March 5, 2026
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abs
Cable Twist (Down to up)
Stand beside a low cable and rotate your torso diagonally upward from low to high to work the obliques.
Quick facts
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Mechanic
- Compound
- Force
- Pull
- Type
- Strength
- Injury Risk
- Low
- Hypertrophy
- Medium
- Calorie Burn
- Low
Muscle focus
Primary and secondary muscle groups targeted by this movement.
Primary
side abs / obliquesabs
Secondary
deep abs / corefront shouldership rotators
Equipment & setup
What you need and how to position yourself before starting.
Equipment
cable
Movement pattern
Unilateral
Posture
Standing
Tracking parameters
repsweight
Step-by-step instructions
Follow these cues to master proper technique and stay safe through every rep.
- Step 1Setup
- Set a cable machine to the lowest pulley position.
- Attach a single handle or rope.
- Stand sideways to the machine with feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent.
- Grip the handle with both hands near the hip closest to the machine.
- Step 2Execution
- Brace your core and rotate your torso diagonally upward and across your body.
- Drive the movement from your core and hips, not your arms.
- Finish with your hands above the opposite shoulder, arms extended.
- Keep your hips relatively stable — the rotation should come from the trunk.
- Slowly reverse the motion back to the starting position.
- Step 3Tips
- Keep your arms relatively straight throughout — they are guides, not drivers.
- Focus on the rotational contraction of the obliques.
- Exhale as you twist up, inhale as you return.
- Perform all reps on one side before switching to the other.
- Start with a light weight to master the movement pattern.