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Dead Bug

Difficulty: Beginnercore

Home Setup

Use a comfortable flat surface with back support

Yoga matCarpetTowel on floor

💡 Pro tip: Place a small towel under lower back to monitor neutral spine

Gym Setup

Mat or padded floor space

Safety: Keep lower back pressed to floor throughout movement

Make It Easier

Regressions for building up strength

1. Bent Knee Dead Bug

bodyweight

Keeping knees bent reduces lever arm

2. Single Leg Lower

bodyweight

One limb at a time reduces complexity

3. Toe Taps

bodyweight

Smaller range of motion easier to control

Make It Harder

Progressions for advanced athletes

1. Weighted Dead Bug

bodyweight + dumbbell

Adding light weight increases resistance

2. Dead Bug with Resistance Band

resistance band

Band tension adds difficulty

3. Dead Bug Hold

bodyweight

Isometric hold increases time under tension

4. Hollow Body Hold

bodyweight

Full body anti-extension challenge

↕️ Similar Movements

Bird Dog
Similar contralateral coordination pattern
Plank
Anti-extension in different position
Pallof Press
Anti-rotation core stability
Hollow Body Hold
Similar anti-extension demand
Bicycle Crunches
Similar limb movement pattern

Form Checklist

Press lower back flat into floor
Extend opposite arm and leg simultaneously
Move slowly and controlled
Exhale as limbs extend
Keep ribs down and core braced

Common Mistakes

  • Lower back arching off floor
  • Moving too quickly
  • Holding breath
  • Neck tension from lifting head
  • Not fully extending limbs

📈 When to Progress

When you can do 12-15 reps per side with perfect form and no lower back arch for 3 sets