Core Stretch for Your Game
Welcome to week 4 of our series Core Stretch for Your Game. With my golf fitness classes you can improve your golf game while increasing your fitness level! For this series we are using a new flexibility training aid which can be purchased in the Golf Fitness Pro Shop at a discount for Golf Channel subscribers.
Each year we lose flexibility in our muscles, ligaments and tendons. This loss in flexibility directly correlates to increase risk of injury and a decrease in performance on the course. Because the back is the core of our skeletal and muscular system, its health is vital to avoid pain associated with the golf swing. When you incorporate stretching your core into your workouts, you improve balance, flexibility and coordination for your golf swing. If you are just joining us for this series, you can catch up with Weeks 1-3
Step 1: To determine your current fitness level, take the Fitness Analyzer on KellyBlackburn.com.
Step 2: Follow the Stretch Guidelines
Step 3: Perform this exercise daily for maximum results!
Here is the benefit you can receive from this core stretch:
Because the hamstrings facilitate the lower back, keeping this region flexible will allow you to keep the low back healthy therefore giving you more swing consistency.
Stretching Guidelines:
1)Do five minutes of a warm up prior to stretching for example, marching in place.
2)Never bounce or jerk when using this stretching device
3)Hold each stretch 30 seconds
4)Never stretch to the point of pain
5)Focus on breathing ' deep, slow and steady
Low Back & Hamstring Stretch:
Follow the CoreStretch proper technique guide to position yourself for this exercise. Sit with your legs bent and grip the bar with palms down. Slowly lean forward until you feel a good stretch in the low back and hamstring region. Hold for 30 seconds. Return to the start position and repeat.
Click here for training aids from the Golf Fitness Pro Shop!
Related Links:
Editor’s Note: Kelly Blackburn has traveled the PGA Tour and Champions Tour circuits as a fitness consultant and trainer for 13 years. Kelly welcomes your email questions and comments, contact her at BlackburnOnTour@aol.com. Visit KellyBlackburn.com to learn more about health and fitness for golf.
