Move of the Month: Kayakers

Kayakers target your oblique muscles. These abdominal muscles help stabilize your torso while you are running. To perform the Russian Twist (another name for this movement), sit on the ground with your legs bent in front of you. Raise your feet off the ground, so that you are balancing on your bottom. Move your torso back and forth so that your hands touch the ground on the left then on the right. Make sure to actually twist your torso side to side - many people have the tendency to move their arms to each side without actually using their obliques. Let your eyes and head follow your hands to the left and the right to ensure oblique engagement. Perform three sets of 15 as part of a strength routine. As you adapt to the exercise, you can make it more difficult by increasing the reps or holding a weight in your hands.