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Dead Bug

Dead Bug is a beginner compound bodyweight exercise that mainly works your abs.

💪 Abs🏋️ Bodyweight📈 Beginner🔗 Compound🎯 3 sets of 8-15 reps
Dead Bug: starting position
Starting position
Dead Bug: end position
End position

How to do the dead bug

  1. Begin lying on your back with your hands extended above you toward the ceiling.
  2. Bring your feet, knees, and hips up to 90 degrees.
  3. Exhale hard to bring your ribcage down and flatten your back onto the floor, rotating your pelvis up and squeezing your glutes. Hold this position throughout the movement. This will be your starting position.
  4. Initiate the exercise by extending one leg, straightening the knee and hip to bring the leg just above the ground.
  5. Maintain the position of your lumbar and pelvis as you perform the movement, as your back is going to want to arch.
  6. Stay tight and return the working leg to the starting position.
  7. Repeat on the opposite side, alternating until the set is complete.

Muscles worked

Primary: Abs

Sets and reps

Do 3 sets of 8-15 controlled reps, stopping 1-2 reps before failure. When you can do 15 easily, slow the tempo or add weight.

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Dead Bug alternatives

Exercises that train the same main muscle, including options with other equipment.

CocoonsBodyweight · BeginnerLandmine 180'sBarbell · BeginnerSpell CasterDumbbell · BeginnerCable Judo FlipCable · BeginnerKettlebell WindmillKettlebell · IntermediatePlate TwistOther · Intermediate

FAQ

What muscles does the dead bug work?

It mainly works your abs.

How many sets and reps of dead bug should I do?

Do 3 sets of 8-15 controlled reps, stopping 1-2 reps before failure. When you can do 15 easily, slow the tempo or add weight.

Is the dead bug good for beginners?

Yes. It is a beginner-friendly movement: start light and focus on the form steps above.

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