Core Stretch for Your Game
Welcome to week 8 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 1-7
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:
Keeping the lateral region of your back flexible will enhance your rotation which creates a greater shoulder turn resulting in more power in your swing!
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
Lateral Stretch:
Follow the CoreStretch proper technique guide to position yourself for this exercise. Sit with your legs together and grip the handle with one hand palm down. Brace yourself on the chair with the opposite hand. Slowly lean toward the bracing hand you feel a good stretch in the lateral 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.
