Dead Bug: How to Perform it Correctly

The Dead Bug is an excellent exercise which can be practiced regularly to strengthen our middle zone or the “core”.

What is the Dead Bug, and what are its benefits?

We know that right now is not the ideal time to be training in a gym, because of the attempts to control the spread of the lethal COVID-19.

Due to this, methods such as the Dead Bug exist, a nice, practical and classic Pilates technique, and really effective.

It also provides an adequate stability to the lumbar region, which allows us to work on coordination and the shoulder girdle which make up the link between the upper limbs, or the chest, and the torso.

How do I practice the Dead Bug?

When practicing the Dead Bug, the lumbar zone should not be arched, so that the transverse abdominal muscle can be activated.

Deeply working the abdomen

It is an anti-extension exercise, hence its effectiveness in working in depth on the abs and muscles that surround the middle muscles of the body.

This is one of its main benefits.

You only need your own body

Another benefit is that we do not need any other equipment other than our body.

To do the exercise, you must lie on the floor and raise up your arms and legs, in this position, flex your hips to 90 degrees.

Do this by placing your legs perpendicular to your torso and then flexing your knees so that the lower legs are parallel to the floor.

The arms will be raised and extended upwards, also perpendicular to the torso.

Lift the arms and legs and extend them completely.

Remember to squeeze your abdomen well and make sure your shoulders and lower back are always completely supported so that your back does not arch.

From there, the movement begins by extending one leg and the arm on the opposite side, bringing each limb closer to the floor

How to breathe

Duration

The duration of the exercise is generally 5 minutes, but this depends on the level of the person and it is always better to consult a professional to advise you in a more personalised way.

Start at a basic level, rushing or competitions are not recommended.

Safe, flat belly

If you are still wondering what the advantages are of this Pilates technique, imagine that:

“Your mirror reveals an image of your abdomen without a millimetre of protuberance, with your core totally toned and strong, there’s no room for an inch of fat in the central area of your back or in any of your oblique walls on your hips or waist.”

All of this, of course, is recommended along with a properly crafted diet based on your objective and needs.

The experts in Dead Bug exercises of this kind confirm that the lower back becomes highly strengthened, along with other muscles including: the transverse, obliques, abdominal rectum, pelvic floor, lumbar, diaphragm and the multifidus.

Here are some of the benefits of these exercises that will give you a strong, slender figure.

Mistakes that can be made when performing the Dead Bug

Many people spend too many hours a day sitting, at work, in front of the computer, due to sedentarism…

And it turns out that this bent posture flexing forwards for a long period of time can produce an inadequate range of mobility in the thoracic column, which limits capacity to bend into athletic postures.

This explains why such error variations can improve or be eliminated by rolling forwards and backwards with a foam roller, allowing pressure to be applied to the places where it is needed.

Dead Bug as a Fitness technique

Once you achieve a good execution of this technique and you gain some “core” strength, you can add weight or other elements that intensify this activity.

If you want to take initiative in this regard, you can hold a dumbbell or a disc between your two hands and thus add extra weight to your exercise, for example.

You can also move your legs and hands simultaneously or put weight on your ankles.

17 Variants of the Dead Bug

Conclusions

This exercise is quite complete and is key to strengthening the middle zone.

We recommend trying it when you feel sufficiently prepared with the lower back and the other areas fully energised and well trained.

Go ahead! You’ll have a healthy, fit body and abdomen sooner rather than later, so don’t hesitate.

Bibliography

1. Kelvin N. King Jr. (2019) “6 Dead Bug variations for the weekend athlete”
2. Peter Fiasca, Ph. D (2010) “Descubriendo pilates clásico puro”
3. José María González Ravé and Christian Roberto López Rodriguez (2014) “Core training”
4. Abigail Ellworth (2017) “Anatomía & entrenamiento del core”

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