Exercises in which the motion occurs in the transverse plane are lacking in
many exercise programs. If you add the Total Gym torso twist to your workout you
will be able to strengthen the muscles that act in the transverse plane and
avoid the pitfalls of having weak oblique muscles.
The Total Gym torso rotation is a simple exercise to set up, simply sit
near the top of the platform with your legs hanging off. You may need to hug
the side of the Total Gym bench/platform slightly with the back of your legs
so you don't slide. The motion of torso twist is optimally performed with an
erect torso, tight core and neutral alignment of your back.
Oblique exercises are a good addition to anyone's exercise program. Those
involved in any sports which have a rotational component (which is most)
will also benefit greatly from adding the torso twist to their workout
program whether it is on the Total Gym or other cable machine.
