Sometimes core exercises don't need to be that challenging. When it comes to core stability for spine health, simply connecting to the correct muscles is enough. Things like long plank holds are especially unnecessary.

The dead bug is a perfect beginnerfriendly core stability exercise that is safe and effective. This exercise helps to find awareness to engage the correct muscles. Then you use arm and leg movements to get the oblique muscles to activate in the correct sequence.

This video goes over different variations of the dead bug exercise.