MensHealth
  • News
  • Health
  • Fitness
  • Sex
  • Nutrition
  • Style
  • Weight Loss
  • Life
  • Podcasts
  • Subscribe
  • Motoring
  • Video
MensHealth
  • News
  • Health
  • Fitness
  • Sex
  • Nutrition
  • Style
  • Weight Loss
  • Life
  • Podcasts
  • Subscribe
  • Motoring
  • Video
Bjornsson Deadlifted 1,026 pounds On The Elephant Bar To Win 2020 Arnold Classic
Watch 0:10

Bjornsson Deadlifted 1,026 pounds On The Elephant Bar To Win 2020 Arnold Classic

{headline}

{headline}

This Simple Resistance Band Move Will Crush Your Biceps

This Simple Resistance Band Move Will Crush Your Biceps

This Ridiculously Hard Chin-Up Also Carves Your Core

This Ridiculously Hard Chin-Up Also Carves Your Core

How Actor Ethan Suplee Got His Vicious Set Of Abs

How Actor Ethan Suplee Got His Vicious Set Of Abs

Hugh Jackman Showed Off His Abs During a Shirtless New Years Polar Bear Plunge

Hugh Jackman Showed Off His Abs During a Shirtless New Years Polar Bear Plunge

{headline}

{headline}

"I Tried Pilates For A Month - Here Are 6 Things I Learned"

"I Tried Pilates For A Month - Here Are 6 Things I Learned"

7 Dumbbell Exercises For Shredding Your Abs

7 Dumbbell Exercises For Shredding Your Abs

How To Get Mobile And Make It Stick

How To Get Mobile And Make It Stick

{headline}

{headline}

5 Red Flags That You Have Weak Abs

5 Red Flags That You Have Weak Abs

The 26 Best Toys To Help You Get A Six-Pack

The 26 Best Toys To Help You Get A Six-Pack

This Plank Row Hellset Will Demolish Your Abs And Back

This Plank Row Hellset Will Demolish Your Abs And Back

Try This Two-Move Workout Finisher To Help You Get Ripped

Try This Two-Move Workout Finisher To Help You Get Ripped

This Bodybuilder Did 100 Situps Every Day For A Month

This Bodybuilder Did 100 Situps Every Day For A Month

How John Krasinski Transformed His Body And Built That Six Pack

How John Krasinski Transformed His Body And Built That Six Pack

How This Guy Transformed His Six Pack In Six Weeks

How This Guy Transformed His Six Pack In Six Weeks

  1. Home
  2. Abs Workout

Twist The Screw To Blow Up Your Abs

If you want to stretch your potential, then turn to the resistance band windmill and press. It'll fire up your abs and prime you for bigger lifts - by Michael Jennings
  • 16 Jan 2020
Twist The Screw To Blow Up Your Abs
Getty Images

WHEN YOU’RE squeezing in a gym session between meetings, making a beeline from your desk to the bench press is the go-to tactic. The inconvenient truth, though, is that skipping a warm-up is sabotaging your workout.

In your quest for total-body muscle, one move can make all the difference, so set aside five minutes and grab a resistance band. “During the windmill and press, your shoulder stabilises, your hips hinge and your spine rotates, priming you for heavy kettlebell swings, overhead pressing or deadlifts,” explains Third Space PT Lee Ryan. You’ll lift heavier for extra sets and reps, accelerating your progress. 

And that’s before we get to the impact on your core. This move builds abs as effectively as a plank, but it’s far less boring. “The band activates your entire midsection when you rotate into the pressing position,” says Ryan. Shoot for two sets of 12-15 reps on each side to feel your abs work in places you never even knew existed and prep for a PB.

Tired of the same old presession stretching but not sure whether to stick or twist? Well, now you know exactly what to do.

1/ SOLID START

Stand with your feet at hip-width, secure the band under your left foot and stretch the other end overhead in your right hand. Start with your left hand at the band’s midpoint, just below your chest. You should feel it in your core already.

Twist the screw exercise
Philip Haynes

2/ LEAN INTO IT

Look up at your right hand and hinge into your right hip, pushing your glutes back so your right leg is straight and there’s a slight bend in your left knee. At the same time, rotate your torso. Ready to press your advantage?

Twist the screw exercise
Philip Haynes

3/ PUSH TO ACTIVATE

This is where you’ll really feel your core switch into overdrive. With your left arm, press the resistance band out to the right, making sure your arm fully locks out. Your right arm should stay overhead throughout. Keep steady, now.

Twist the screw exercise
Philip Haynes

4/ REVERSE FORTUNES

When you reverse the move, stay in control and don’t rush back to your upright position. This increases time under tension to maximise every rep. Perform your set on one side, then repeat on the other side for a full-body burn. How’s that for a band aid?

  • Fitness
  • Abs Workout
  • Core Exercises
Michael Jennings
Michael Jennings
Michael is an experienced journalist, having worked in the fitness and media space for over 5 years.

Subscribe Now-

Subscribe Now
Subscribe Now

Subscribe Now-

Subscribe Now
Subscribe Now

Recommended to you

Bjornsson Deadlifted 1,026 pounds On The Elephant Bar To Win 2020 Arnold Classic
Watch 0:10

Bjornsson Deadlifted 1,026 pounds On The Elephant Bar To Win 2020 Arnold Classic

{headline}

{headline}

This Simple Resistance Band Move Will Crush Your Biceps

This Simple Resistance Band Move Will Crush Your Biceps

This Ridiculously Hard Chin-Up Also Carves Your Core

This Ridiculously Hard Chin-Up Also Carves Your Core

How Actor Ethan Suplee Got His Vicious Set Of Abs

How Actor Ethan Suplee Got His Vicious Set Of Abs

Hugh Jackman Showed Off His Abs During a Shirtless New Years Polar Bear Plunge

Hugh Jackman Showed Off His Abs During a Shirtless New Years Polar Bear Plunge

{headline}

{headline}

"I Tried Pilates For A Month - Here Are 6 Things I Learned"

"I Tried Pilates For A Month - Here Are 6 Things I Learned"

7 Dumbbell Exercises For Shredding Your Abs

7 Dumbbell Exercises For Shredding Your Abs

How To Get Mobile And Make It Stick

How To Get Mobile And Make It Stick

{headline}

{headline}

5 Red Flags That You Have Weak Abs

5 Red Flags That You Have Weak Abs

The 26 Best Toys To Help You Get A Six-Pack

The 26 Best Toys To Help You Get A Six-Pack

This Plank Row Hellset Will Demolish Your Abs And Back

This Plank Row Hellset Will Demolish Your Abs And Back

Try This Two-Move Workout Finisher To Help You Get Ripped

Try This Two-Move Workout Finisher To Help You Get Ripped

This Bodybuilder Did 100 Situps Every Day For A Month

This Bodybuilder Did 100 Situps Every Day For A Month

How John Krasinski Transformed His Body And Built That Six Pack

How John Krasinski Transformed His Body And Built That Six Pack

How This Guy Transformed His Six Pack In Six Weeks

How This Guy Transformed His Six Pack In Six Weeks

MensHealth
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Chris Hemsworth Hugo Boss
  • Terms
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Statement
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Chris Hemsworth Hugo Boss
  • Terms
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Statement

Brands

  • Women's Health

Our Network

  • Paragon Media Pty Ltd
© 2021 Are Media PTY LTD
Get more from Men's Health

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe Now-

Shop This Offer
Subscribe Now