Liftworthy
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Liftworthy

Every exercise ranked by research, by lifters and by results. Find what’s S-tier for your goal, then train it.

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For golf

Dead Bug vs Pallof Press

For golf, Pallof press rates well ahead on our research criteria: more carry-over to golf.

Both are good choices that build different things for golf, so a plan can use both.

B
#9
of 17
Dead Bug
Bodyweight
A
#6
of 17
Pallof Press
Cable
Research score
59
70
Transfer
Fair
Good
Injury protection
Strong
Strong
Practicality
Excellent
Excellent
See the full golf ranking
What these mean
Transfer.
How directly it builds the strength, speed and positions your sport needs.
Injury protection.
How well it guards against the injuries that are common in your sport.
Practicality.
How easy it is to learn and to fit around your sport practice.

The research score comes from these, scored by hand from the studies. Lifter scores appear once an exercise has 10 ratings. How scores work

When each one fits

Good reasons to choose dead bug

  • You have no equipment

Good reasons to choose Pallof press

  • You want the most direct carry-over to golf
Dead Bug
Pallof Press
You need
Nothing but the floor
Cable station
Skill
Easy to learn
Easy to learn
Type
Isolation
Isolation
Why they rank where they do

Pallof Press. Teaches the trunk to resist rotation, which protects the lower back.

Also compared for

Abs & core

Ranking →
  • CDead Bug#16 of 23
  • CPallof Press#13 of 23

For your abs, Pallof press rates higher on our research criteria: easier to progress. Dead bug gives more stretch.

Side by side
Target tension
Good
Good
Loaded stretch
Fair
Weak
Progression
Weak
Strong
Low cost
Excellent
Excellent

Questions

Which is better for golf, dead bug or Pallof press?

For golf, Pallof press rates well ahead on our research criteria: more carry-over to golf. Both are good choices that build different things for golf, so a plan can use both.

Is dead bug or Pallof press easier to learn?

About the same: both are easy to learn.

Can you do dead bug or Pallof press at home?

Dead bug needs no equipment, so you can do it anywhere. Pallof press needs a cable station, so for most people it’s a gym exercise.

Which does more to prevent golf injuries, dead bug or Pallof press?

About the same: both rate Strong for injury protection in our research rubric.

More comparisons

  • Bird Dog vs Dead Bug
  • Dead Bug vs Hanging Leg Raise
  • Cable Woodchop vs Pallof Press
  • Pallof Press vs Side Plank
Dead BugPallof PressBest for golf