Bird Dog Exercise Guide

Bird Dog gif

Exercise Profile

Target
Erector Spinae
Equipment
Body weight
Body Part
Waist
Primary Muscle
Erector Spinae
Secondary Muscles
Deltoid Anterior, Gluteus Maximus
Intensity
medium
Category
strength
Skill Level
intermediate
Estimated Calories
4
Alternate Names
Quadruped Extension

Visualised Target Muscle Groups

Front

Body muscles front

Back

Body muscles back

How to: Bird Dog

  1. Start on your hands and knees with your wrists aligned under your shoulders and knees under your hips.
  2. Engaging your core, extend your right arm forward while simultaneously extending your left leg back.
  3. Hold for a moment before returning to the starting position.
  4. Alternate sides, extending the left arm and right leg.
  5. Continue alternating for the desired number of repetitions.

Common Mistakes

  • Letting the hips sag down.
  • Raising the arm or leg too high, causing spinal hyperextension.
  • Neglecting core engagement.

Modifications

  • Perform the exercise on a stability ball for extra support.
  • Limit the range of motion if necessary for stability.

Tips

  • Engage your core throughout the motion to maintain stability.
  • Focus on slow, controlled movements rather than rushing through the exercise.

Tags

core
back
stability
strength
intermediate
bodyweight

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