Dead bug reach

The dead bug reach is an exercise for strengthening the core in which you alternate lowering your opposing arm and leg simultaneously, controlling the movement with the abdominal muscles. It can be part of a dynamic warm-up to activate the core for other athletics or lifting, or be performed in a circuit or on its own in the ab-focused portion of any workout.

Benefits

  1. Strengthens the rectus abdominis, obliques, and deep core or transversus abdominis
  2. Teaches core to brace while arms and legs are moving
  3. Effective core activation work before training or anytime
8.6
Average

Dead bug reach Images

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Dead bug reach Instructions

Dead bug reach muscle diagram
  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.

Alternative Exercises for Dead bug reach

Hanging leg raise thumbnail image Hanging leg raise thumbnail image

Hanging leg raise

Muscle Targeted: Abdominals
Equipment Type: Body Only
8.9
Average
Hanging toes-to-bar thumbnail image Hanging toes-to-bar thumbnail image

Hanging toes-to-bar

Muscle Targeted: Abdominals
Equipment Type: Body Only
9
Average