The core move every trainer recommends is harder than it looks—here are the modifications that worked for me

Woman wearing white clothes lying on her back on an exercise mat on a wooden floor exercising her legs.

Have you ever attempted a popular core move only to realize you’re not quite nailing it? It happens to me and I’m a fitness editor and qualified personal trainer. My problem exercise is the dead bug and, despite being widely recommended, I’ve rarely come across trainers who offer modifications—it’s assumed everyone can do it.

The move targets the deep abdominal muscles that support spinal health and stability, and requires lower core strength and limb coordination. So it rightly earns its reputation as one of the most effective core stabilization exercises around.