Tamannaah Bhatia’s Trainer Siddhartha Singh Reveals 3 Core Exercises You Should Skip

Tamannaah Bhatia’s Trainer Siddhartha Singh Reveals 3 Core Exercises to Avoid.

If your ab workouts are dominated by sit-ups and Russian twists, it may be time to rethink your routine. Celebrity fitness coach Siddhartha Singh, who trains stars like Tamannaah Bhatia, recently highlighted some of the most common core exercises that could be doing more harm than good.

In an Instagram post on October 21, Singh called out the three worst exercises for your core, explaining that they can strain your neck, back, and waist, and even lead to an unwanted change in body shape.

🔹 1. Sit-Ups

“Sit-ups do absolutely nothing for your core,” Singh said. “The only thing this is going to give you is a strained neck and a high chance of upper back injury.”

Though popular, sit-ups often engage the hip flexors more than the abdominal muscles, placing unnecessary stress on the spine.

🔹 2. Russian Twists

Singh joked, “I highly doubt any Russians are doing this for their core.” He warned that Russian twists can overload the lower back, leading to injury and wasted effort. The rotational movement, especially with weights or poor form, stresses the lumbar spine.

🔹 3. Side Bends

Finally, he highlighted side bends as misleading for core training. “Side bends train your obliques, and when those muscles get bigger, your waist can actually look thicker,” he explained. While they build strength, they may make the waistline appear wider — counterproductive for many fitness goals.

🔹 Safer Alternatives for Core Strength

Instead of these exercises, Singh recommends safer, more effective moves that truly engage the core:

Pallof Press – Improves stability, balance, and functional core strength without straining the spine or overdeveloping the obliques.